Cutting taxes imperative for local officials today
It's a time when many, if not most, households and businesses are being forced to make do with less. The crumbling economy has brought income cuts or freezes and, for some, the real possibility of layoffs. Housing values are down and home foreclosures are up. And the cost of living continues to rise for most.

Local governing bodies can do something about the latter, by stabilizing or cutting taxes. Just as they would expect from state and federal legislators, local mayors and town council members need to find cuts and other ways of saving money in order to reduce the property tax impact on local residents.

As town councils reorganize each January and discuss their goals for the year ahead, there is always plenty of rhetoric about keeping taxes down. However, when budget time comes, there is often very little scrutiny or significant recommendations that would accomplish that goal. It is far easier to vote yes, or even vote no, on the budget without any real hard work to bring tax relief. The result is usually a tax hike.

There are notable exceptions being made, and that's the case in Jamesburg, where officials decided last month to do away with or reduce several positions, acknowledging that they had to start early in order to have an impact this year. In Old Bridge, Republicans have presented a list of recommended cuts totaling more than a half million dollars after examining the line items. Newly elected East Brunswick Mayor David Stahl is following through on his campaign promises by cutting positions he saw as unnecessary. And Monroe officials are dissolving the municipal utilities authority, making the service a municipal function, with savings expected.

As the new year begins and local officials take their seats, they should remember it is their obligation to do more than show up and vote. Now more than ever, they have to get to work by taking a hard look at what can and cannot be afforded, and seek creative ways to save money. The decisions may not be easy, but it is their job to make them.