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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about your sewer bill
Q: Why is the City charging me
separately for sewers rather than continue to include it in my property tax
bill?
A: In 2007 the City conducted a study of our sewer
charges from the
Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority (RVSA) and discovered that, under the
old system, residential property owners were generating 50 percent of the
City’s total wastewater but were paying for 62 percent of the cost. Having
residents subsidize commercial and industrial users was unfair and had to
change. This will bring greater transparency and accountability to
residents as to how much of their tax dollars go towards maintaining our
sewer system, as well as provide a more equitable way of charging all sewer
users in the city.
Q: What are the sewer fees?
A: Effective January 1, 2008, the following sewer fees
for various residential properties will be billed as follows:
Quarterly
Annually
Single-family home $61.25
$245
Two-family home
$98
$392
Three-or four-family home $98 + $36.75 per unit
$392 + $147 per unit
Condominium
$49
$196
Senior Citizens *
$12.50
$50
* Must qualify for a senior
citizen tax deduction pursuant to the provisions of
N.J.S.A.
54:4-8.40 et seq.
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These residential fees are expected to remain unchanged for the next five
years. Commercial and industrial users are being billed based on usage plus
a minimum annual charge.
Q: How will I be billed for my sewer
use?
A: Your sewer charge will be indicated by a separate
line item on your quarterly water bill.
Q: I just received a sewer bill in
February. Why did I receive an additional sewer bill in March?
A: Since the City had to work with United Water to set up a
new billing system for sewer customers, the first quarter bills were mailed
out slightly later than usual. For the second quarter you will receive two
separate bills. First bill will be for sewer fees (April, May, June) second
bill will be for water usage. Third and fourth quarter bills for 2008 will
be mailed out during their normal quarterly schedules.
Q: Isn’t this sewer charge just an
additional tax that I will now have to pay?
A: Since users
will now receive separate sewer bills rather than be charged through the
municipal property tax, the residential rate
payer will now pay a rate that is less than had the charges remained as part
if the local property tax bill.
The average City residential property taxpayer will see the following
estimated savings in 2008:
Estimated savings per single-family household
Local property taxes vs. sewer fees
Assessed value
Projected Taxes
Projected Sewer Fees
Projected Savings
$100,000
$294
$245
$49
$125,000
$368
$245
$123
$133,000
$391
$245
$146
$150,000
$441
$245
$196
$175,000
$515
$245
$270
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Q: How is this change affecting the
2008 municipal budget?
A: Mayor Kennedy announced in January that because
spending was kept well under the state-mandated cap and due to an infusion
of $10 million in ratables due to new redevelopment, this year’s budget is
delivering a zero percent local property tax
increase. Since the City has no control over the budgets of the
Board and Education and County government, your total property tax bill may
still increase, however. Rahway presently enjoys one of the lowest and most
stable property tax rates in the county and provides many additional
municipal services not found in other municipalities.
Q: I am a senior citizen. Am I
eligible for a discounted sewer charge?
A: As indicated in the first chart above, certain
seniors may be eligible for a substantial savings on their annual sewer bill
according to the State eligibility requirements below:
o
65+ years
o
Own and occupy dwelling
o
Annual income limit not to exceed $10,000 (combine for
couples) not including Social Security, but all other income (pension,
interest, dividends, rental, etc.)
If you qualify, please contact the
Tax Assessor or call (732) 827-2030 for an application. |
