Budget Cuts Would Soften Tax Increase In Hoboken: Council Members

HOBOKEN, NJ — Several members of the Hoboken City Council are calling for budget cuts in the name of reduced taxes as they prepare for a public hearing on Wednesday.

Municipal officials held a series of public workshops on the proposed city budget earlier this month. A hearing and possible action are slated to take place on May 1.

• See meeting details here
• See more information on the proposed city budget here

On Monday, Hoboken Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, chair of the finance and revenue subcommittee, announced that she submitted an amendment to the proposed city budget that cuts spending by more than $1 million.

The proposed amendment would “significantly reduce the burden on city taxpayers,” Fisher stated.

According to a statement from Fisher, the changes would lower the city administration’s proposed tax increase from 2.8% to 1% without compromising funding for emergency services or investments in infrastructure and other community programs that “impact the quality of life of Hoboken residents.”

The amendment was supported by Council President Jen Giattino, Councilman Mike DeFusco and Councilman Peter Cunningham, who issued a joint statement with Fisher on Monday:

“As elected representatives for the City of Hoboken, it is our responsibility to ensure taxpayer money is being used efficiently to make investments in the services and programs that best provide for the needs of our community. The administration's proposed budget calls for an increase in taxes by nearly 3%. This must be a belt tightening year for our government and it is irresponsible to ask taxpayers to open their wallets further than necessary. The amendments we are proposing preserve funding for necessary services and community programming that impact the quality of life for Hoboken residents while allowing us to provide an additional $100,000 to our overworked fire department, our seniors and for the City Clerk’s Office that works hard every day for our community. While we are asking some departments to do more with less, these are fair recommendations that protect the delivery of the most vital services to Hoboken residents.”

A vote on the proposed amendment is scheduled to take place during Wednesday’s City Council meeting.

• See related article: 2 Hoboken Schools May Merge As District Grapples With Budget

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