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Mayor's Message -- August 2019

Posted on: July 29, 2019 - 11:02am
Mayor Linda H. Schwager

Congratulations to the Oakland Junior Police Academy Graduates 

I attended the graduation at Valley Middle School on July 26, 2019. It was a wonderful evening. Thank you to our Police Officers who coordinated the program, trained and taught our children. They gave our children an understanding of law enforcement while having a fun experience. Photos and more details are found on my Mayor's facebook page: Mayor Linda H Schwager

A special thank you to our Oakland Police Department. We are so lucky to have an outstanding department protecting our town.

By the time you read this message you will have received your 2019/2020 tax bill. Please take notice how your property taxes are calculated:

  • In New Jersey, unlike in other states, your property taxes are collected by the municipal tax collector for the schools, the county and the local municipality. 

In Oakland, the Oakland Tax Collector collects for the local Oakland Public Schools; Oakland's share towards the FLOW Regional High Schools; Bergen County taxes; and for the Borough of Oakland.

  • Each entity/agency submits their budget to the municipality who then totals all money needed for the schools, the county and for our town. 
  • The tax bill reflects a total calculation (percentage of all money anticipated to be needed) to pay for the local and regional schools, Bergen County; and municipal services.

In 2019/2020 for every TAX DOLLAR PAID, you are paying to the schools, county government and local government AS FOLLOWS:

  • Oakland Public Schools-------------$.47 of every Dollar or 47% of the total taxes*  
  • IHHS/RHS Regional Schools-------$.194 of every Dollar or 19.4% of the total taxes* 
  • Bergen County------------------------$.096 of every Dollar or 9.6% of the total taxes 
  • Borough of Oakland-----------------$.241 of every Dollar or 24.1% of the total taxes 

Total paid for our excellent schools = approximately 67% of the total tax bill

Each taxpayer pays a proportionate share of the total needed for the schools, the county and municipality based upon each property's assessed value.

The tax bill is based upon a total annual amount needed divided into quarters.  Payment for each quarter is due the first day of the middle month of the quarter.  For example, the third quarter of 2019 covers July, August and September.  Normally taxes for this quarter would be due on August 1st. 

HOWEVER, since the tax bills were delayed waiting for all entities to submit their final annual budget, the tax bills were sent later than usual.  Therefore, there is an extension to pay this quarter.  Your 3rd quarter taxes for 2019 are due before  August 26, 2019 to avoid a late fee penalty.

If you have any questions about the tax bill in general contact me.  If you have specific questions about your tax bill, please contact our tax collector (the collector of taxes for schools, county and municipality).   If you have questions about your property's assessment, please contact our assessor in the municipal building. 

AND....as always if you have any questions, suggestions, and concerns, call me or email me at mayorschwager@oakland-nj.org

Until next time, Linda

Linda H. Schwager, Mayor of Oakland