Atlantic Health settles landmark tax case with Morristown

NO NEED FOR A SHOPPER-CHOPPER: Shuttle vans will take Morristown Medical Center employees downtown to shop and dine during 'Hospital Week.' Image: Foundation for Morristown Medical Center
NO NEED FOR A SHOPPER-CHOPPER: Shuttle vans will take Morristown Medical Center employees downtown to shop and dine during 'Hospital Week.' Image: Foundation for Morristown Medical Center
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In a move that may have profound implications for hospitals and nonprofits across New Jersey and beyond, the Atlantic Health System has agreed to pay local property taxes for Morristown Medical Center.

The town of Morristown will receive $10 million up front, and another $5.5 million in penalties and interest in annual installments over the next 10 years. These payments will settle hospital tax appeals spanning the years 2006-2015.

Going forward through 2025, approximately one-quarter of the property will be taxed, at an assessed value of $40 million. This is expected to yield another $1.05 million per year in tax payments, to be roughly split with the town and the Morris School District.

The town council approved the deal unanimously on Tuesday.

Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty announces landmark settlement with Morristown Medical Center. Photo by Kevin Coughlin, nov 10, 2015
Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty announces landmark settlement with Morristown Medical Center. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

“I’m glad it’s over and we have a settlement. It’s a fair settlement,” said Mayor Tim Dougherty, citing a nine-year legal battle pressed by two administrations.

Morristown will benefit greatly, he said, as the hospital shoulders more of the costs of municipal services. The hospital’s 10-year commitment ensures “a guaranteed revenue stream” to help elected officials plan for the town’s future.

Brian Gragnolati, who became Atlantic’s CEO earlier this year, said the agreement “provides clarity around financial obligations.”

In a statement, he added that the hospital “plans to have a greater presence in the lives of our community members by offering  enhanced health and wellness programs that are reflective of their needs.

“We both gain,” he said, asserting that the pact “reinforces our vision as a trusted network of caring.”

Brian Gragnolati, new president and CEO of Atlantic Health. Photo courtesy of Atlantic Health
Brian Gragnolati, president and CEO of Atlantic Health. Photo courtesy of Atlantic Health

“It’s a very fair settlement and it will make a meaningful difference in the life of every resident,”  Morristown council President Rebecca Feldman said after the vote.

Betsy Ryan, president and CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association, issued this statement:

“We’re pleased that an agreement has been reached on this important issue. We do expect this issue to now move on to the legislative arena, and we look forward to being part of that dialogue with lawmakers.”

SHOCK WAVES

In June,  a state tax judge sent shock waves through the medical industry when he ruled in Morristown’s favor, declaring that the hospital  should pay local property taxes on virtually all of its 40-acre property  for the years 2006-2008.

NO NEED FOR A SHOPPER-CHOPPER: Shuttle vans will take Morristown Medical Center employees downtown to shop and dine during 'Hospital Week.' Image: Foundation for Morristown Medical Center
Morristown Medical Center Image: Foundation for Morristown Medical Center

Hospital lawyers estimated that could have amounted to as much as $3 million annually. Separately, Morristown also sought taxes for the years 2009-2015.

Dougherty said both sides wanted to avoid further litigation, which has cost Morristown about $1 million, by the estimate of town Attorney Vij Pawar.

The Mayor praised Gragnolati for “bringing a fresh perspective” that will benefit the community.

“It was this spirit of collaboration that not only helped the two sides reach an equitable solution, it helped us cultivate a deeper relationship,” said the Mayor, adding he felt the prior CEO, Joseph Trunfio, “was not very interested in the community of Morristown.”

Under terms of the deal, Morristown wont be affected if the state enacts laws mandating lower payments from hospitals, Dougherty said.

“No matter what, we keep the higher end,” he said.

And if the hospital adds facilities on the property, it is subject to reassessment that may bring higher taxes, according to the Mayor.

THE FINE PRINT:

What’s taxable, and what new community health services are promised

Judge Vito Bianco had found that for-profit and nonprofit activities are so intermingled at the hospital that it no longer meets the legal definition for a nonprofit entity. He exempted only the auditorium, parking garage and fitness center from tax liability.

In his 88-page decision, Bianco said the medical center in many ways functions just like for-profit hospitals, with “labyrinthine corporate structures, intertwined with both non-profit and for-profit subsidiaries and unaffiliated corporate entities.”

The judge said his concerns about tax exemptions encompassed nonprofit hospitals statewide. Top executives at Morristown Medical Center were paid like private-sector counterparts, Bianco noted, pointing to $5 million  that former CEO Joseph Trunfio made in 2005.

Morristown Medical Center is the town’s largest employer, with about 5,500 employees.

The case dates to the prior administration of Mayor Donald Cresitello.  Former Town Administrator Michael Rogers, who was there at the time, and was involved in nearly all subsequent negotiations, told MorristownGreen.com that red flags were raised when private medical practices started appearing inside new buildings at the hospital.

When the town attempted to tax the hospital in 2008, the hospital appealed, setting in motion litigation that  culminated in Bianco’s ruling.

Atlantic Health rebuffed numerous settlement overtures from Morristown over the years, according to Rogers.

The Mayor has credited Bianco’s decision, and the change of leadership at Atlantic Health, with bringing the hospital to the bargaining table.

Dougherty told council members that this new revenue stream will be their legacy. He also cited the hospital’s medical excellence, and praised the care his mother received there recently.

“It’s phenomenal what that hospital does,” the Mayor said at the council meeting. “We’re happy to have them in our backyard.”

 

3 COMMENTS

  1. Am very happy for the town of Moristown and our citizens, I do want to point out that this is not the end of the game . If you look at he comments made by Betsy Ryan CEO of NJ Hospital Association .
    “We do expect this issue to now move on to the legislative arena, and we look forward to being part of that dialogue with lawmakers.”
    Be prepared to see attempts made in the state legislative body to make some changes the Non profit Hospital issue.
    the work lobbyist comes to mind

  2. The two largest employers in Morristown Nj ( not Morristownship) are the County of Morris , and Atlantic Health. Both provide a valuable service to the community at large. The County will probably never have to pay property taxes. This effects property owners in town because other Morris County towns are not taxed as high as Morristown due to do so other many tax exempt properties.
    Under this ruling the property owners in Morristown will gain some justice. Atlantic Health has turned into a mini city on Route 24 in Morristown. They provide treatment and life saving services. Thst is wonderful but Morristown tax payers have been subsidizing them.
    Morristown refinanced it’s debt service which caused property taxes to become some of the highest in New Jersey.
    The town debt service was almost $150,000,000 at one time. This caused a hardship on town businesses and home owners. Much of the budget for years went to pay debt.
    So now that the hospital had a judge rule that they must pay for past land use , the town can now in turn lower the property taxes for those who suffered for so long.
    I hope they do this because it is the right thing to do and it makes sense.
    In addition to all of the new money coming in from new projects the town now has the money to reduce the property taxes on the ones who have been overtaxed for too long.
    The theme should be to reduce spending, and cut the taxes and reduce the rates.

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