Secaucus property owners will see an increase in their 2025 property tax bills. One contributing factor is the Secaucus public school district budget, which is set at $51.5 million for the 2025–2026 school year. This results in a 4.6 percent increase in the school tax levy.
According to Grace Yeo, school district business administrator, this increase means the average assessed home in Secaucus will pay $75 more per year in school taxes.
Mayor Mike Gonnelli confirmed that while taxes increased for both schools and the county, the town was able to keep the municipal portion flat. Property taxes in Secaucus include three parts: the school tax, the municipal tax, and the county tax.
- Secaucus schools’ 2025–26 budget increased by 4.6%, raising the average home’s school tax by $75.
- Hudson County attempted a 30.36% tax hike on Secaucus, increasing the town’s county tax share by $6.2 million.
- Mayor Mike Gonnelli and Senator Brian Stack secured $3 million in state aid, reducing the county increase by half.
Hudson County Proposes $6.2 Million Tax Increase for Secaucus
In spring 2025, Hudson County proposed increasing Secaucus’ county tax contribution by $6.2 million, representing a 30.36 percent increase, according to Gonnelli. The proposed increase was due to property sales in Secaucus that raised its county tax rate.
Gonnelli stated that this was an unprecedented increase, and he began contacting county and state officials for tax relief. He specifically cited support from State Senator Brian Stack, who also serves as Mayor of Union City.
$3 Million in State Aid Secured to Offset County Tax Increase
The Hudson County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution in support of Secaucus’ request for state aid. Gonnelli stated that Senator Brian Stack spearheaded efforts to bring attention to the issue at the state level.
Gonnelli reported that Senator Stack informed him that the State budget includes $3 million in aid for Secaucus to help offset the county tax increase, reducing the town’s total county tax increase from $6.2 million to $3.2 million.
The $3 million in aid is included in the $58.8 billion New Jersey State Budget, which passed the State Senate by a 26–13 vote and the State Assembly by a 52–27 vote, with one abstention. Governor Phil Murphy signed the budget into law early Tuesday morning, just after midnight on July 2, 2025.
Secaucus Still Faces $3.2 Million County Tax Increase
Although the aid reduces the county tax increase by half, Secaucus is still responsible for a $3.2 million increase in county taxes.
Secaucus Business Administrator Gary Jeffas stated that the town is waiting for the county to confirm details on how the state aid will be applied. Once that information is received, the town can obtain final tax rates from the county.
Jeffas confirmed that municipal taxes will not increase in 2025, which he identified as the portion of the tax bill directly controlled by the town.
Secaucus Officials Acknowledge State and County Support
In a public letter, Mayor Gonnelli thanked Senator Brian Stack, County Executive Craig Guy, and the Hudson County Commissioners for their support of Secaucus residents and the business community.
Gonnelli said when the County adopted its budget, Secaucus’ contribution to county taxes increased by $6.2 million. He pointed out the importance of the $3 million in state aid in reducing the town’s tax burden.
The Hudson County Board of Commissioners voted 8–1 to approve the $713.6 million county budget, which includes an overall tax increase of 5.59%. According to reports, Secaucus faced the largest tax increase among the 12 municipalities in Hudson County.
