Camden tax collection expected to be higher this year

Camden annual tax lien sale was held this week, resulting in a $2.3 million revenue boost for the city.

This year, 3,401 liens were up for sale, down from 4,317 in 2012.

The city collected $2.3 million from the 2,517 tax liens sold. In 2012, the city collected $2.9 million from 2,891 liens sold.

The drop is a good thing, city spokesman Robert Corrales said. He expects that the city's tax collection rate increased this fiscal year. Exact numbers won't be out for a couple weeks.

Camden has held a tax collection percentage rate in the high 80s the last few years, compared to Cherry Hill's steady 99 percent collection rate.

Whatever the collection rate is, though, won't make much of a difference in the budget since only $24 million is collected in municipal taxes. Most of the city's $151 million budget is funded by the state.