In election year, Dougherty tells Morristown residents school taxes fuel 11 percent hike

It’s not the sort of letter candidates want to send in an election year.

But as Morristown residents open their final property tax bills for 2025, they will find a message from Mayor Tim Dougherty attempting to soften their sticker shock over an 11 percent increase from last year.

The combined tax rate of $1.759 translates to an increase of $1,170 for the average residential property assessed at $635,269.

Of that hike, $822 is attributed to the school district, $117 to the municipality, $151 to Morris County, $5 to the county open space tax, and $75 to the Morristown & Township Library.

Dougherty, a Democrat seeking a fifth term this fall, stressed that the town kept its portion of the levy increase to 2.7 percent — the smallest of the five taxing entities. By contrast, the school levy jumped almost 16 percent, making it the main driver of the overall increase.

The mayor pointed to lingering effects of the 2024 property revaluation ordered by the state Division of Taxation as a major factor. While the regional school district’s budget rose 3.4 percent, he said, the revaluation significantly amplified its impact on Morristown taxpayers. Dougherty said this effect will not recur in 2026.

“The Administration did its best to keep the municipal increase as modest as possible given the current economic environment and increased costs,” the letter stated. At the same time, Dougherty noted the town has no authority over county, school, library, or open space levies, though it is responsible under state law for issuing and collecting the bills.

Despite major development, Morristown had not conducted a revaluation since 2007 and was under pressure from Morris County officials to do so, then-Council President Stefan Armington said in 2022.

The timing of the mayor’s notice injects the sensitive issue of rising property taxes into the mayoral campaign, where Dougherty is facing challenges from Republican Councilman Bruce Meringolo and Independent candidate Andrea Lekberg. Both have raised concerns about affordability and transparency in town finances.

Dougherty included information on new state property tax relief options. Seniors and residents receiving Social Security Disability benefits now can apply through a single combined form, PAS-1, which replaces several older applications. The updated form also adds a new category of aid called STAYNJ. Details are available here or at 1-888-238-1233.

Residents with questions also may contact Tax Collector Linda Winstead at 973-292-6669, or the mayor at 973-292-6629.