That does not mean every homeowner's individual property tax bill increased by 25.31%. Individual tax bills are affected by property assessments and other taxing entities. But a 25% increase in the school tax levy has real consequences for the community.

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For Some Residents, There Is Very Little Room in the Budget

For a working family, a substantial property tax increase may mean cutting spending somewhere else. For a senior or anyone living on a fixed income, the choices can be even more difficult. Their income may not increase simply because the cost of local government does. And for someone who has lived in Neptune for decades, continually increasing property taxes can ultimately raise a much more personal question:

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Can I afford to remain in my own community?

1. That is why fiscal accountability is about more than balancing a school budget. When the Board asks taxpayers to provide substantially more money, the community deserves clear answers:

2. Why is the additional money necessary?

3. What alternatives were considered?

4. What was done to control costs before asking taxpayers for more?

5. Have declining enrollment and unused building capacity been considered?

6. What will additional spending accomplish for Neptune's students?

 

Accountability Is Also About Trust

There will be times when additional spending is necessary. Maintaining strong schools costs money, and responsible Board members should never promise otherwise.

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But when taxpayers are asked to absorb a substantial increase, the Board has an obligation to demonstrate why it is necessary and how the money will be used. The Board of Education isn't simply managing numbers.

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It is managing the public's trust.

And that trust must include the students who depend on our schools, the families who depend on strong public education, and the taxpayers, including those living on fixed incomes—who are being asked to pay for it.

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Responsible stewardship means respecting all three.

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Source

Neptune Township Assessor's Office, 2025 Property Tax Information. The Township reports that the school tax levy increased from $59,500,000 in 2024 to $74,560,704 in 2025, an increase of $15,060,704, or 25.31%.