Tax collecting error could give owners relief on future bills

By John Zucal, Managing Editor
Property owners often face “sticker shock” when a municipal budget is finally approved late into the budget year. It means a large increase in the remaining tax bills in order to collect all of what is needed to satisfy expenses for the year.
For owners in Orange, however, the 2010 budget year will be a surprise, but for the oddest of reasons.
A statement Tuesday night from the Hawkins Administration stated that an error made on a form to the state meant the city collected $2 million more than it should have for the first half of the 2010 fiscal year. Instead of receiving $17.1 million, the city received $19.1 million during the first six months.
The determination came from the state Department of Community Affairs after a resident, identified by city officials as Katalin Gordon, gained the attention of state officials to her concern. She had spoken during City Council meetings about the possibility she had been overbilled and was referred to John Kelly, Orange’s chief financial officer.
According to the city’s statement, because Gordon’s concern had been limited to her bill, city officials did not review the status of all tax bills.
“Ms. Gordon’s hard work and her refusal to take ‘no’ for an answer when she knew she was right is an inspiration for all citizens trying to transform Orange,” said Mayor Eldridge Hawkins Jr. in a statement.

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