Under Mayor Zimmer Hoboken Ranks #2 In New Jersey In Tax Cuts

With the passage of the 2013 budget under Mayor Zimmer Hoboken is only one of only three New Jersey municipalities who have cut their tax levy for four consecutive budget cycles. Although the budget is not online yet it is expected to cut the tax rate by another 1.9%. If accurate and adding the 10% cut already enacted the 4 year total should be 11.9%. This figure does not include the onetime 5% cut when Hoboken switched from a fiscal year to a calendar year budget. If included Hoboken would rank number one out of 585 New Jersey municipalities.

Although I can understand why Jen Giattino voted no because of postponing needed capital improvements, without these deletions the budget process would have stalemated and possibly lead to another state takeover. The budget amendment deleted proposed pedestrian safety upgrades, the 9/11 Memorial and a high elevated water vehicle to deal with another storm like Sandy.

Hoboken411 recently had story about public safety, but I am not holding my breath for him to condemn the Old Guard proposal to delete it. As stated in a prior blog post I am very upset that Hoboken will not have a 9/11 Memorial for the foreseeable future. 54 lives were murdered on that day placing Hoboken second behind NYC in victims lost. There are 9/11 Memorials in many New Jersey municipalities that have passed with wide support from the community but unfortunately the Old Guard couldn’t care less about remembering their sacrifice as those other towns do.

If you are a 4th Ward resident and have to wait for the National Guard to rescue you please email Tim Occhipinti at timothy.occhipinti@gmail.com to thank him for leaving you stranded. Additionally some of these needed items could have been funded if the Old Guard had followed NJ State recommendations and paid the fire department terminal pay over 5 years rather than one. But, fiscal responsibility is hardly ever a hallmark of the Old Guard.

Only Wildwood who has cut their levy 12.2% (.5% cut in 2013) and Liberty with a 2.3% cut (-.9% this year) have joined Hoboken in cuts over each of the past 4 years. Both have their budgets adopted, although it is quite possible that Wildwood like many shore communities will have to adjust theirs upward to compensate for Sandy damage.

There are still 59 NJ cities that do not have a 2013 budget introduced (some are fiscal year towns), let alone one adopted. 67 cities have a tax levy cut at this time. This year Hoboken ranks #21 or in the top 4% of NJ towns. Although most of the time budgets come in line with the proposed, 20-25% do not. If you accept only adopted budgets, Hoboken places #11 or in the top 2%.

There are an additional 142 municipalities that are at or under the 2% cap and 97 towns that are at or under the 3.5% Cap Bank. 16 towns have no website or only a news story to calculate their taxes.

This progress could not have been accomplished without the Reform movement standing firm, but fair when dealing with unions and the maintenance of a responsible cash surplus while the Old Guard has repeatedly attempted to create an illusion of a tax cut but would have left zero dollars for emergencies like Sandy or Irene.

Once again the record of the Budget Hawks shows millions of dollars in real, sustained cuts while the Chicken Hawk minority continually offers pennies and crumbs.

It is also important in an election year to remember that candidate Ruben Ramos was partially responsible for the state takeover as his side kept the audits hidden from the public, similar to the Old Guard when it controlled the BOE. It was Mayor Zimmer (then Council President) and Kids First that allowed the 75 (approximate) severe violations that was kept secret for years to be shown. Ruben owes the community an explanation for his actions.

It is also Mayor Zimmer who initiated the reval process after not having one since 1988. Hoboken411 has also stated that he doesn’t believe that you have to let the assessors in. He is correct you do not. But if you follow his advice you will automatically be given the highest rate possible.