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New Jersey municipalities boost budgets with virtual yard sales
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We've got land. We've got old cars. We've got ancient computers, ping pong tables in excellent condition and even helicopters. And if you act within the next 30 minutes, you'll get a free gift - the thanks of already stretched New Jersey taxpayers.
It's not quite a fire sale, but cash-strapped municipalities in the state are clearing out closets, basements and garages, selling the contents to raise much-needed money. Selling old goods and unwanted properties isn't something new, but the amount going up for sale is increasing as budgets get tighter.
"Everything is on the table," said New Jersey State League of Municipalities Executive Director William Dressel. "Towns are looking at every way they can save dollars and generate revenue through legitimate means."
Local governments in New Jersey seem to be taking the lead in the nation at selling their old stuff.
For instance, officials with the Internet government auction site
www.govdeals.com say the 103 New Jersey municipalities that use the site make up almost 25 percent of their national client base. Sales have increased from $1,500 in 2006 to $3.2 million last year, and interest from municipalities grows as their financial situations worsen.
"We have sold everything from livestock to filing cabinets to airplanes to you name it," said Terry Bazzoon, the Web site's marketing director. "New Jersey, in particular, has sort of just taken off. It's kind of interesting to watch."
A check of the Web site on Monday showed shoppers could buy an assortment of goods from some southern New Jersey municipalities by bidding on stuff such as a fire engine from Eagleswood Township, computers, printers and office equipment from Sea Isle City and old cars in Middle Township.
Municipalities aren't the only entities selling off their wares: the Vineland Board of Education is offering wall exhaust fans, electric stoves, a piano and nine Bye Bye Buggies, which are four-seater strollers.
Nor are municipalities depending just on Internet auctions to sell their goods.
Faced with a tight budget, Hamilton Township officials said the municipality would explore every fund-raising possibility.
So, on July 29, the township hopes to raise almost $600,000 by selling about 55 acres of municipally owned land, including the last remnants of the old Sunshine Park nudist colony.
The township is also trying to raise thousands of dollars in monthly rent by leasing sites attractive for cell towers. One proposal would have a bidder replacing the existing municipal building cell tower, which is used for emergency services, with a taller cell tower that would contain a mix of municipal and private uses.
"Township Committee directed me to look at alternate sources of revenue other than property taxes," said township Administrator Edward Sasdelli. "We want to do everything we can. Every dollar we raise this way is a dollar we don't have to raise by taxes."
While the sales are generating cash, Dressel warns municipalities not to get caught in a quick-fix situation.
"Towns have be very careful with short-term and long-term implications," he said. "You've got to very carefully analyze and look at these kind of revenue-generating strategies and carefully decide as to whether they will have adverse implications down the road."
For instance, Dressel said, municipal land sold now to raise money could be used in future years as the site of a new firehouse or needed park.
Posted in NEW JERSEY | TOP THREE on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 9:45 pm Updated: 11:20 pm.
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