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Board of Elections
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Elections
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Who can register to vote?
To register in New Jersey you must be:
- A US
citizen,
- At least
18 years old on or before the next election,
- Residing
at your present address for at least 30 days.
You are
not eligible to register to vote if you are serving a sentence or on parole
or probation, as a result of a conviction of an indictable offense under
state or federal law or have been adjudged mentally incompetent.
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How and where do I register to vote?
Applications for registration can be obtained from the Board of Elections in Newton, from the County Clerk, or your Municipal Clerk. Registration forms are also available in various State agencies and at Division of Motor Vehicle offices.
You can also click here to print a registration form (28k pdf) and after writing in the required information, mail it to the Board of Elections. This same form can also be used for name and address changes. Unfortunately, the Board of Elections cannot accept faxed copies or an electronic transmission of a voter registration form since an original signature is required.
If you do not have a printer available call the Board of Elections at (973)579-0950 and a registration can be mailed to your home! Don't forget to register right away because the registration deadline to vote at the next election is 21 days prior to election day!
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Board of Freeholders
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Freeholders
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How did County Government start?
The word "freeholder" traces its origin to medieval England. It was introduced here by the British colonists who brought with them the concept of the county as the local unit of government. When the British settled in the "new world," they also brought with them the idea that only those who owned land free of any debt could vote and hold public office. Those who could vote were known as "free-holders" and those who were elected to office were the "chosen free-holders."
The basic law establishing the freeholder form of county government in New Jersey was enacted in 1798. In the beginning, each corporate municipality was represented by a freeholder on the county governing board. But as the number of municipalities increased to the point where some boards were bogged down by sheer weight of numbers, the law was changed. In 1912 the "Small Board" Act was adopted, permitting counties to elect freeholders from the county at large. The exact number of freeholders making up each county board was to be determined by the respective county’s population. The law was permissive, and subject to approval by the voters at a referendum.
Since its enactment, 17 of New Jersey’s 21 counties have taken advantage of this Act. Only four: Gloucester, Salem, Atlantic and Cumberland, retain the historic form with one freeholder elected from each governing body or subdivision. Sussex County has five freeholders. A county may have between three and nine, depending on its population and classification.
The freeholders are elected at-large to serve three-year staggered terms. The five freeholders elect a director from among themselves to run their meetings and to serve as spokesperson for the board.
New Jersey is the only state whose elected county representatives are called freeholders.
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What is a Freeholder?
A Freeholder is the elected county government representative in New Jersey who serves on the county’s main governing body, the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
The Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders sets policy for three County departments and 16 divisions, plus a number of boards, commissions, authorities and committees. The Freeholders appoint a county administrator to supervise the actual day-to-day operation of county government.
A Freeholder is the elected county government representative in New Jersey who serves on the county’s main governing body, the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
The Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders sets policy for three County departments and 16 divisions, plus a number of boards, commissions, authorities and committees. The Freeholders appoint a county administrator to supervise the actual day-to-day operation of county government.
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Division of Senior Services
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Senior Services
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What are the PAAD income limits?
$19,739 Single Person
$23,203 married Person
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Library
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Library
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Does the Sussex County Library System have a website?
The Sussex County Library System website was launched in April 2003 and provides access from home to the SCLS online catalog, schedule of upcoming library programs and events, various online databases, and more. The website address is http://www.sussexcountylibrary.org.
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Does the Sussex County Library System offer public Internet access?
High-speed Internet access is available in every library in the Sussex County Library System. Patrons may surf the net, send email messages, explore chat rooms, and do other Internet functions.
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What are the Sussex County Library System phone numbers?
- Main Library (Frankford): 973-948-3660
- Dennis Memorial Library (Newton): 973-383-4810
- Dorothy E. Henry Memorial Branch Library (Vernon): 973-827-8095
- Franklin Branch Library (Franklin): 973-827-6555
- E. Louise Childs Memorial Branch Library (Hopatcong): 973-770-1000
- Sussex-Wantage Branch Library (Sussex): 973-875-3940
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What resources and services does the Sussex County Library System offer?
The Sussex County Library System has resources in many formats, from books to DVDs. Materials for both children and adults are available, and programs for adults and children are offered at all branches throughout the year, including a Summer Reading Club. Special collections include local history and genealogy, health information, and federal and state documents. For further information, contact the Main Library or any branch.
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Where may a Sussex County Library System card be used?
A Sussex County Library System card may be used at the Main Library and at any branch of the Sussex County Library System.
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Who is eligible for a Sussex County Library System card?
Residents of Sussex County (except Sparta), Sussex County property owners including summer resident property owners (except Sparta), and students attending Sussex County schools (except Sparta) are eligible for a free 3-year card valid in all libraries in the Sussex County Library System. Non-resident individuals who work in Sussex County (except Sparta), hotel/motel residents of Sussex County (except Sparta), summer residents who rent property in Sussex County (except Sparta) and campground residents of Sussex County (except Sparta) are eligible for a free 1-year card valid in all libraries in the Sussex County Library System. A paid card ($25 annual fee) valid in all libraries in the Sussex County Library System is available to Sparta residents and residents of other counties or states.
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Public Health Nursing
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Public Health Nursing
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What is Public Health Nursing?
The mission of the Sussex County Office of Public Health Nursing is to protect and promote the health of the public through an integrated system of comprehensive health care services that meets the needs of individuals, families, and communities.
Public Health Nursing, therefore, is a Sussex County Government Agency which provides disease prevention and health promotion services for residents living in the jurisdiction of the Sussex County Department of Environmental and Public Health Services.
To learn more about Public Health Nursing, and for a list of services offered by our office, please visit our web site at: http://www.sussex.nj.us/nursing
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What municipalities are served by the Sussex County Department of Environmental and Public Health Services?
The Sussex County Department of Environmental and Public Health Services serves 23 of the 24 county municipalities. For a complete list including contact information, please visit:
http://www.sussex.nj.us/Cit-e-Access/webpage.cfm?TID=7&TPID=5986
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Tax Board
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Tax Board
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Are there Special Rules for Commercial Properties?
Yes. Owners of rental income properties must supply an income statement at the time of filing on special forms provided by the Tax Board. Since the income generated by a property has a direct bearing on the owner's ability to market the property, and therefore its value, this evidence may be useful in arguing both sides of an appeal.
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How do I know if my Assessment is Fair?
The NJ Legislature adopted a formula known as Chapter 123 in 1973 to test the fairness of an assessment. Once the Tax Board has determined the true market value of a property during an appeal, they are required to automatically compare the true market value to the assessment.
If the ratio of the assessment to the true value exceeds the average ratio by 15%, then the assessment is automatically reduced to the common level. However, if the assessment falls within this common level range, no adjustment will be made. If the assessment to true value ratio falls below the common level the Tax Board is obligated to increase the assessment to the common level.
This test assumes the taxpayer will supply sufficient evidence to the Tax Board so they may determine the true market value of the property subject to the appeal. You should inquire into your district's average ratio before filing a tax appeal. This ratio changes annually on October 1, for use in the subsequent tax year.
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If the Property was Recently Purchased, How is this Purchased Considered?
An assessment is an opinion of value. Uniformity of treatment dictates minor adjustments not be made simply due to a recent sales price. For various other reasons the subject's sales price may not necessarily be either conclusive evidence of the property's true market value, or binding upon the Tax Board. An examination of the circumstances surrounding a sale is always important.
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Is a Hearing Always Necessary?
A hearing is always necessary. If the assessor, municipal attorney, and the taxpayer agree to a settlement or the issues are otherwise resolved, it may not be necessary for you to attend your hearing, particularly if a settlement stipulation form is submitted to the Tax Board for their approval.
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May I Further Appeal the Judgement of the Tax Board if I am Still Dissatisfied?
If you are dissatisfied with the judgment rendered by the Tax Board, you will have 45 days from the date your judgment was mailed to file a further appeal with the Tax Court of NJ. If your property is assessed for more than $750,000, you may file directly with the Tax Court by April 1st annually.
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What is a Tax Appeal Hearing and Who will Hear my Appeal?
Once you have filed your tax appeal, a hearing before the Sussex County Tax Board is scheduled. The Tax Board consists of 6 members appointed by the governor. The Tax Board Commissioners are appointed primarily to hear disputes involving assessments. The municipality is the opposing party and will be represented by the municipal attorney. The assessor and/or an appraiser may appear at your hearing as an expert witness for the municipality.
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What is Good Evidence to Convince the Tax Board to Reconsider an Assessment?
You cannot appeal the taxes on your property since the taxes are the result of the local budget process. You must pay the collector all taxes and municipal charges up to and including the first quarter of the tax year. Remember, the burden is on you, the appellant, to prove your assessment is unreasonable, excessive, or discriminatory. It is necessary for you to prove at the onset that your assessment is in error. It is also necessary for you to suggest a more appropriate value. The taxpayer must be persuasive and present evidence. Credible evidence is evidence supported by fact, not assumptions or beliefs. Photographs of both the subject property (the property subject to the appeal) and comparables are useful in illustrating your argument. Factual evidence concerning special circumstances is necessary.
For example, if the property cannot be further developed for some reason, evidence must be provided. The most credible evidence is recent comparable sales of other properties of a similar type in your neighborhood. Remember, if you are going to discuss comparable sales, not less than three comparable sales shall be submitted to the Assessor, Clerk and County Tax Board at least one week prior to the hearing if not included with the petition of appeal.
Sales of all properties (SR-1A's) are available for your review at the County Tax Board. Comparable means most of the characteristics of your property and the neighboring sale are similar. You should be knowledgeable of the conditions of the sales you cite including financing and be able to give a full description of the properties.
Some of the characteristics making your property comparable are: recent sale price, similar square footage of living area measured from the exterior, similar lot size or acreage, proximity to your property, the same zoning use (e.g. duplex in a duplex zone), and similar age and style of structure, etc.
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What is the basis for my Assessment?
In order for an assessment to be deemed excessive or discriminatory, a taxpayer must prove an assessment does not fairly represent one of the two standards:
Following a revaluation, all assessments must represent 100% of true market value as of the previous October 1.The October 1 pre-tax date is called the annual "assessment date". All evidence submitted in a tax appeal must be on or near the assessment date, especially property sales used a comparables.
The other standard is the "common level" or common level range established in your municipality. To explain the common level range you must consider what happens following a revaluation or reassessment.
Once a revaluation or reassessment is completed, external factors such as inflation, appreciation, and depreciation may cause values to increase or decrease at varying rates. Other factors such as physical deterioration may contribute to changes in property values. Obviously, if assessments are not adjusted annually, a deviation from 100% of true market value will occur. The State Division of Taxation annually conducts a fiscal year sales survey, investigating most property transfers that occur in your community, with your local assessor assisting. Every sale is compared individually to every assessment to deter- mine an average level of assessment in a municipality.
An average ratio is developed from a sampling of property sales to represent the assessment level in your community. In any year, except the year a revaluation or reassessment is implemented, the common level of assessment is the average ratio of the district in which your property is situated and is used by the Tax Board to determine the fairness of your assessment.
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When are the Tax Appeal Hearings Held?
Tax appeal hearings are generally held after the April 1 deadline. Adjournments are generally denied. It is suggested that you make every attempt to attend your hearing. If you miss your hearing and have not received a written notice postponing your case, you may assume the case has been dismissed. If you do not attend your hearing, your case will be dismissed "for lack of prosecution."
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Who is an Expert Witness?
Besides your municipal assessor, anyone whose occupation is a real estate appraiser, and whose designation as such is from a legitimate association of professionals, is considered an expert. An expert's qualifications may be challenged by the municipal attorney at the hearing. In addition, if you intend to rely on expert testimony at your hearing, you must supply one copy of an appraisal report to the assessor, Five copies to the Sussex County Tax Board Commissioners and one copy to the Tax Board Administrator at least 7 days in advance of the scheduled hearing. The appraiser who completed the report must be available at the hearing to give testimony and to afford the municipality and Tax Board an opportunity to cross-examine the witness. Bank appraisals are NOT acceptable!
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Will the Appeal be Private?
No. All meetings of the Board of Taxation are public meetings.
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