ARE MUNICIPAL TAXES RISING IN NORTH ARLINGTON?
Democratic council candidate Cengiz “Jim” Sever disputes claims of property taxes at “historic lows.”
NORTH ARLINGTON – Cengiz “Jim” Sever is a low key, quiet father of three who loves North Arlington.
A union tradesman, husband and Albert Street homeowner, Sever has seen his property taxes increase from $12,417.57 in 2023 to $13,639.60 in 2025 or some nine percent in 24 months.
The total assessed value of his home is now $610,000. $234,100 for the land and $375,900 for the improvement value. 
He is anticipating another overall hike in the third and fourth quarters for 2026.
Sever owns his property with his wife Guldane, and what he hears in his door-to-door travels is that random assessments are crippling longtime homeowners, in particular seniors.
“I invite Councilman Del Russo and his running-mate Amanda to knock on doors and hear what we hear every day. Rising property taxes are the overwhelming issue at the homes we visit. To claim property taxes are at historic lows is at best ingenuous and at worst insulting,” offered the Democratic hopeful.
“The issue is the same over and over again. An issue of value and cost. That property taxes are rising, end of story, full stop.”
Sever was asked to comment on the Mayor’s letter that appeared with the tax bill.
“I read it. It would be nice if he had an email or direct line of contact. I agree with him in praising our volunteers, but the cost of local government is increasing. It is undeniable,” offered the Albert Street homeowner.
Sever was confused about references to “careless, frivolous spending.”
“Who was he referring too? Political editorials have no place in government funded correspondence to homeowners,” said the candidate.
Sever was also concerned about the recent $1.5 million-dollar purchase of a dormant and vacant property on River Road that remains unexplained.
“Why was this deemed an emergency appropriation? What specifically was the emergency? I thought there would be some updates as to this plan for senior housing along River Road. It was never mentioned,” observed Sever.
“The Mayor claims he is keeping the burden from drastically shifting to our taxpayers, that was never explained and was problematic in my mind. If my taxes are increasing, how is this not my burden, and the burden to all homeowners? I’m concerned about the future MELRAYS. The continued rapid construction along Ridge Road and the threat it poses to increased school spending. I believe we need a second pair of eyes watching the store. Ten years is too long for one political party to have a monopoly on local government,” observed Sever who is running with fellow Democrat John Balwierczak.
No Democrat has served on the Mayor & Council in six years.
All seven seats are controlled by the Republicans and Pronti.
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