Commissioner Thomas J. Evans, Director of the Department of Revenue and Finance, presented the Nutley Township municipal budget at last week’s bi-weekly Board of Commissioners meeting. During his comprehensive overview, he outlined the Township’s financial plans for the upcoming year.

“We have always aimed for transparency in our budget,” Evans stated. “This presentation clearly illustrates for our residents how their tax dollars are being allocated.”

Using a detailed slide presentation (accessible at https://bit.ly/2025nutleybudget), Commissioner Evans broke down each projected expense in an easily digestible manner. “Our top priority is ensuring the health, welfare, and safety of our residents,” he emphasized. “This is reflected in the fact that over 50 percent of our budget is dedicated to public safety. Many residents inquire about how their taxes are spent, and the reality is that, aside from public safety, all other budget components - road maintenance, parks, building upkeep, tree care, recreational services, utilities, legal fees, treasury functions, and garbage and recycling services - account for less than 9.2 percent [of the budget]. We are spending under four percent on debt, and administrative costs are below seven percent. Contrary to some social media narratives, this budget is not out of control.”

For 2025, Commissioner Evans anticipates a municipal tax increase of approximately $141 per household. “The reasons for this increase stem from many factors beyond our control, such as rising insurance rates, union contracts, and prior agreements,” he noted. The Commissioner also stressed that a major factor of the increase was the loss of over half a million dollars in state aid. “Last year, our state aid amount was $547,000, which was categorized as municipal relief aid. The introduction of this year’s state budget eliminated that category of aid. Because of that impact on our Township, I have petitioned the state through the Division of Local Governmental Services as well as our legislative representatives to somehow do something to help us mitigate that loss. My goal is to - and I believe very strongly that we will - get the municipal increase under $100.

“These rising costs are a reality in every aspect of life,” he continued. “The fact that we have managed to keep the increase relatively low - though we aim to reduce it further before finalization - is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Board of Commissioners.”

A slide comparing average taxes across Essex County municipalities provided insight into Nutley’s budget in relation to neighboring towns. “I often hear residents questioning why some municipalities have lower taxes than we do, and this chart sheds light on that,” Evans explained. “For instance, towns like Fairfield, West Caldwell, or Roseland benefit from volunteer fire departments and regional school systems, yet residents still pay a similar amount in taxes as they would in Nutley, which operates its own fire department and local school system. It’s clear that moving to these towns won’t necessarily save you money.”

Commissioner Evans invites residents to visit https://bit.ly/2025nutleybudget for more information and encourages them to reach out to the Department of Revenue and Finance at 973-284-4951 with any questions.

The budget will be up for a vote at the Board of Commissioners meeting in June.