NJ Motorsports Park is still asking for the PILOT


At the recent commission meeting, NJ Motorsports Park opted again not to give their presentation on why they deserve a tax break extension. Supposedly they need more time to make their case. Was Team Santiago actually considering this PILOT without a case being made for it?  Both Mr. Pepitone and Mr. Cooper thanked the citizens for explaining the NJ Motorsports PILOT extension, as they did not understand it. Team Santiago had a month to research the PILOT between meetings and they were going to vote on the PILOT extension that night. How could they vote on something that would cost the taxpayers hundred of thousands of dollars if they did not understand it?

Mr. Parent said the CFO would explain the money implications of the NJ Motorsports Park PILOT as he did not understand it.  How can Mr. Parent not understand the PILOT when he approved the original PILOT back in 2005 and he was about to vote on an extension to the PILOT? This is the commissioner who endlessly brags about his lifetime in government, his “connections” and his unique understanding of government.

Ms. Udalovas has the leading responsibility for the NJ Motorsports Park PILOT because she claims the track is under her jurisdiction as part of economic development.  Remember her if the PILOT extension is passed in the future.

Thank you for everyone that did their part to convince Team Santiago to vote NO for the PILOT extension. It worked and thank you to Team Santiago for listening. However, according to a recent Daily Journal article the request for the PILOT extension is not over.

https://www.thedailyjournal.com/story/news/2019/09/04/new-jersey-motorsports-park-still-wants-30-year-tax-break-millville/2215942001/


Below are some facts to keep in mind about NJ Motorsports Park when they come back before Team Santiago to beg for the PILOT extension:

1. The NJ Motorsports Park tax rate is 87% lower than yours. If your house is assessed at $100,000 you pay $3440/year in taxes. If you had the NJ Motorsports Park tax rate you would pay  $447.20.  Why does the track deserve a tax break?

2. If the NJ Motorsports Park had paid  its full taxes (fair share) since 2008, it would have paid over $7 million. Instead it has paid less than $1 million. Think of what the city of Millville could do with that money. The Board of Education would have more funds; there would be more money for public safety and infrastructure repairs. However, the NJ Motorsports Park wants to continue to pay less until 2033. 

3. The NJ Motorsports Park promised to create 1500 jobs.  So far there are fewer than 200 jobs and many are part-time and not year round.  

4. The City loaned NJMP $600,000 interest free to help pay for the track.

5. The track also promised to pay $1,000,000/year to the city of Millville through a special sports and entertainment tax that was passed just for NJMP by the state of NJ. The only such tax in the entire state at that time. The track is collecting the tax from the public, but keeping it for itself instead of turning it over to the City.

 All the benefits, breaks and special treatment given the track by the City were justified by “pie in the sky” promises including the resurrection or salvation of High Street. Take a walk, if you dare, up and down High street and see how that has worked out! Remember the facts when the NJ Motorsports Park finally comes before Team Santiago and makes their presentation. Once again the citizens will have to come forward and remind Team Santiago to vote NO for the PILOT extension.




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