Jackson Township is done waiting.

Mayor Jennifer Kuhn last week released a public list of 129 properties with outstanding tax bills. The back taxes total to more than $14 million, with some dating back decades. The list was posted on the township’s homepage and Facebook page, and the message to delinquent property owners is clear: pay up or lose your land.

Mayor Kuhn called it “unacceptable,” according to the Asbury Park Press, stating: “Quite simply, Jackson residents deserve better.”

One property on Cassville Road alone owes nearly $360,000—not a single dollar has been paid since 1994.

What Happens Next

Jackson has issued a 14-day notice before foreclosure proceedings begin. Property owners are being offered two options: pay the back taxes and keep the property, or sign over a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure and walk away. The township has hired a specialized law firm to assist with the effort. Officials acknowledge that it will be complicated, especially in several cases where the legal owner can’t be identified. 

Kuhn emphasized the importance of securing the money for present-day taxpayers in Jackson Township.

Placing the Blame

Kuhn didn’t hold back, placing blame firmly at the feet of previous administrations. Former Mayor Michael Reina pushed back, telling the Asbury Park Press he was never informed of any issues during his tenure. “You can blame only so much on a prior administration,” he said. “It’s getting old.”

However, Kuhn is not convinced. She says the problem—which has persisted for over three decades—will end under her watch.

The full list of delinquent properties is available on the Jackson Township website.