Camden City Council Considering Mayor's Proposed Property Tax Hike

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) - Camden City Council opted last night not to act on a budget proposal from Mayor Dana Redd that would immediately increase real estate taxes by 23 percent. That's not to say the tax won't go up, but the council President wants all alternatives examined to raise money for the cash starved city before going to homeowners.

Frank Moran insists a 23 percent hike just won't fly, even to restore many police and fire layoffs imposed two weeks ago. He's wants union concessions and perhaps more money from major corporations that cut so called PILOTs, or payments in lieu of taxes, with the city.

"We can continue to conversate with the administration as we have and encourage other avenues of revenue source so that it can be a less strain on our tax ratepayers," Moran said.

Moran floated figures in the six to nine percent range but nothing seems set in stone here. He says the city's long term money woes have to be addressed with some help from Trenton. He'd like permission to impose a wage tax on commuters, something Camden can't do right now.

Reported by David Madden, KYW Newsradio