Local Loyalty Program Helps Pay Tax Bill

COURT HOUSE – At the April 6 Middle Township Committee meeting, committee members stressed they want local businesses to help pay tax bills for residents, and to do so with a smile.
The “Shop Middle Township Property Tax Reward Program” is similar to ones enacted in other municipalities in the state and designed to be a win-win for both merchant and taxpayer.
The way the program works is straightforward. Merchants are encouraged to join the program with the prospect of increased business from local property owners. The participating merchant gives up 10 percent of the revenue from qualified purchases, those purchases made by individuals with the rewards card.
The company administering the program keeps 2.5 percent as an administration fee and 7.5 percent goes directly to off-set the cardholder’s property taxes.
Assume a purchase of $200 at a participating supermarket and the math works out to $180 for the merchant, $5 for the administration fee, and $14 for the taxpayer. Multiply that by the number of times such purchases are done throughout the year and the tax benefit can be significant. There is no cost to have the shopping card and all the fees are paid by the merchants.
Incentive: Shop Local
The incentive for residents is to shop locally and receive the tax benefits for doing what they would do anyway. That $10 at the hoagie shop represents another 75 cents credited to taxes.
From large purchases to small ones, the amount of tax relief can accumulate over the course of a year. The hope is that such an incentive has a significant effect on where people shop. The merchants, who in this plan foot the bill through the 10 percent reduction in revenue from each purchase, will want to join because of the increased exposure that participation in the program will bring and the added volume of business represented by dollars that otherwise would have been spent outside the township.
Key to the success of any program like this is the number and range of businesses that elect to participate.
“It is a totally volunteer program for the merchants,” Mayor Timothy Donohue said. He promised, “More information will be coming.”
Vets Advisory Board
In other business, committee introduced an ordinance to create the Middle Township Veterans Advisory Board. The volunteer board will advocate for veterans and advise committee on veterans’ issues. The goal is “to improve the quality of life for Middle Township’s veterans.” The township will select the nine-member board and two alternates with the chair of the board selected by the mayor.
“We want our veterans to get the help they need,” Donohue said. A May 4 hearing will take place after second reading prior to further action.
Coast Guard Community Week
Middle Township joined with other municipalities around the county in designating the first full week of May each year as Coast Guard Community Week. Cape May County’s long involvement with and support of the Coast Guard received added recognition this year when the county was designated a Coast Guard Community.
It is one of only two communities in the country so designated. In celebration of this special relationship, events will be held throughout the county in early May with many centered at the Coast Guard Base in Cape May.
Winners Get Awards
On the lighter side, committee presented youngsters with awards as Easter Egg Contest winners. Committee member Michael Clark presented winners with awards while holding up championship art work done by each contestant. Even a somewhat chubby feline showed up for the festivities.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.