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Health & Fitness

Camden County Taxes 64 Percent Higher Than in Burlington County

Camden County taxes 64% higher per household than Burlington County

Republican candidates for Freeholder and Sheriff released statistics found in a report entitled, “Camden County: The Fact-Based Case for New Leadership.” The study confirmed that Camden County residents pay drastically higher taxes per household than residents in neighboring counties and that Camden County is run very inefficiently. It also shows: 

  • Camden County raised taxes again in 2012, this time by a rate of 3.15%, while Burlington County has cut taxes 4%. Gloucester County reduced taxes 3%.1,2
  • This year’s tax increase means that Camden County has increased taxes 16% since 2009. (This figure does not include increases in the Open Space and Library taxes.)1,2
  • Camden County residents pay 2.41% of their annual household income to taxes, whereas Burlington County property owners pay only 1.47%.1,2 

More statistics from this report will be released in coming weeks. 

“A full third of the 37 municipalities in Camden County pay more taxes to the county than they pay to their own municipality3,” said Ian Gill, Republican candidate for Freeholder. “The people I talk to don’t feel like they’re getting more services or value from Camden County than from their municipality … or than they would from Burlington or Gloucester Counties. Camden County residents are tired of excuses. They want big cuts in their taxes, and this study demonstrates that there’s a lot of room to give taxpayers just that.” 

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Gill’s fellow candidates for Freeholder—Eugene Lawrence and Jim Pearce—have extensive experience in private sector business. Their livelihoods have hinged on providing customers and constituents with excellent service and running their operations on an efficient, profit-based model that relies on low-overhead costs and a continually balanced, no-deficits budget. Their success proves their aptitude for that kind of accountability. 

“No one could ever run a business this way and still have a business,” Lawrence said of how politicians have run Camden County. “The current Freeholders have burned through the county’s considerable surplus. They’re not getting smarter about money. They just continue to spend without making any serious spending cuts or reforms. The taxpayers of Camden County are not the Democrats’ political ATM. We need a change. We need fiscal responsibility and common sense. We need leadership.” 

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Pearce elaborated on his fellow candidates’ comments with a vision for Camden County that he believes most people share. 

“As a major part of the Philadelphia metro market—the sixth largest in the country—Camden County should be a leader. We should be in friendly competition with our neighbors across the river, lowering our taxes and eliminating unnecessary, unfriendly laws to attract more businesses and jobs. At the same time, we should be partnering with Philadelphia to compete with New York and Washington, D.C. (the largest and seventh largest markets, respectively) to attract corporate offices, small businesses, jobs, talent and ultimately more revenues."

Pearce went on to say, “We should be supporting our municipalities in attracting businesses and jobs and improving their schools. But instead, the incumbent Freeholders have depleted the surplus and stuck residents with administrative expenses that are 47% more expensive per household than Burlington County.1,2 It’s time to stop adding to the mess and start fixing it permanently. With a definitive change in leadership, we can do just that and more. We can go from being the metro market between New York and D.C. to being ‘Camden County’ — the American northeast’s standard for government efficiency, business success and individual prosperity.” 

Chris Leone-Zwillinger, Republican candidate for Sheriff, reminds everyone she talks to that this November, we all have the power to make our elected officials accountable. 

“Everyone wants to see Camden County be better. Leaders want to see Camden County be brilliant,” said Leone-Zwillinger. “Vote Republican for Sheriff and all three Freeholder seats. We will spark the change that Camden County government sorely needs.” 

Ian Gill, Eugene Lawrence and Jim Pearce—Camden County Republican candidates for Freeholder—are experienced elected officials who bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table. They are seasoned in business, law and government, public safety and dedicated local volunteerism. 

Leone-Zwillinger believes in a fiscally responsible Sheriff’s office, strong leadership, personal rights and liberties as set forth in the Constitution, and enforcing laws to justly punish criminals and enable happiness and prosperity for the good, honest, hard-working citizens of Camden County. 

For more information on Camden County Republican candidates for Freeholder and Sheriff, please visit ccgopcampaign.com.

 

Michael Martin is campaign manager for the Camden County Regular Republican Party candidates for freeholder and sheriff.

 

Sources:

1 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 adopted County Budget documents

2 2010 U.S. Census Bureau County Quick Facts

3 2009, 2010 and 2011 State of New Jersey Abstract of Ratable

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