Hoboken Council Passes 2010 Budget 7-2
The almost $100 million budget was approved during Wednesday's council meeting
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The City Council approved a close-to-$100 million budget for the 2010 fiscal year Wednesday evening, although several council members said they voted for the measure reluctantly. The vote was 7-2 with Second Ward Councilwoman Beth Mason and First Ward Councilwoman Theresa Castellano voting no.
The exact amount of the budget is $99,835,721.12, which allows a tax cut of 0.6 percent, according to Councilman Michael Lenz. During the meeting he also explained that the budget is fully funded. The total amount in taxes to be paid by Hoboken residents is a little more than $60 million.
The budget approval was far behind schedule. There are roughly three months left in the 2010 fiscal year.
During her campaign Mayor Dawn Zimmer said she'd cut the budget by 25 percent.
"The hypocrisy is staggering," said Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo, who voted in favor of the budget. "We're spending money like drunken sailors."
Russo proposed to cut the budget by enforcing a residency law and laying off those city workers who do not live in Hoboken.
Roughly 80 percent of the budget consists of personnel costs, Lenz said.
Councilman-at-Large Ravinder Bhalla—who ran on the mayor's ticket and voted in favor of the budget—said he was hopeful, and said the budget truly reflects the cost of running the city.
Councilman-at-Large David Mello said he voted in favor, because it means that the city may regain control of its budget from the state. In 2008, a state fiscal monitor was appointed to oversee Hoboken's finances after city officials were not able to pass a balanced budget. The monitor, who has the authority to overule city council votes, may be removed if state officials approve the new budget.
"It's time to move forward," Mello said.
Sixth Ward Councilman Nino Giacchi voted in favor, but said he did so reluctantly. "You're putting me in the position that I have to vote yes," he said.
Giacchi especially disagreed with the $4.2 million penalty that was included in the budget, which the city needs to pay the state after illegally implementing a pension program.
"I apologize to you, to the public," Giacchi said. "We fell short again, I'm sorry."
Greg Lincoln
11:10 pm on Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Russo: "The hypocrisy of this budget is staggering!", and then fails to articulate any way he thinks the budget could be any better and votes to pass it. Um, isn't that the definition of hypocrisy?
The best part was when Councilman Lenz showed Mason's hot air and bluster for what it was, empty rhetoric. Those darn facts keep getting in the way, don't they? Mason's claim of a 8% tax increase was as real as a three dollar bill.
Then, Cunningham saying to Mason "Let's have your cuts!", and Mason remains timid and speechless. Ladies and Gentlemen, Beth Mason has done nothing but talk and talk about budget cuts with no plan, no proposals, and refuses to work within the system for what she claims she wants to do for our community. She is a FRAUD. She has done NOTHING.
I respect the comments made by Marsh, Bhalla, and Cunningham. I was impressed with what Giacchi said as well. I applaud Mello and Lenz for their contributions. We look forward to a better budget next year, in a more timely manner.
The State
8:16 am on Thursday, March 18, 2010
This story is a joke. Did the reporter actually attend the meeting?
This story just focuses on the minority of the council's view of the budget with no real comments from the majority.
See how a real journalist tells the story over at the Jersey Journal. http://tinyurl.com/ya92eat
They at least told both sides of the story, opposed to just one.
hullabaloo
1:27 pm on Friday, March 19, 2010
Once again Mason proved that money can't buy everything. Her budget grandstanding was revealed for the sham is it is when Lenz rendered her speechless asking where she saw an increase in the flat budget. She had no answer because the only answer correct answer would have been, "I'm Beth Mason and I tell big fat lies to get attention."