The Jersey City Council passed their $734,111,966.62 budget, which comes with a 1.9 percent property tax increase, at last night’s meeting.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
$122 million is allocated to the city employee health plan, while there will be a $38.35 million surplus anticipated in 2024 versus an anticipated $68.29 million surplus garnered last year, the spending plan says.
“I want to get confirmation from our business administrator that we have the green light to approve the amendments for the calendar year budget and adopt the calendar year budget,” City Clerk Sean Gallagher said.
“We do have it in writing …. from the state, they accepted the amendments and the final adoption of the budget,” replied Business Administrator John Metro
While Ward E Councilman James Solomon said appreciated the work of the budget office and the questions answered, he said he was against the multi-million dollar franchise fee from the Jersey City Municipal Utility Authority being used to plug a budget hole.
Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore voted no as well, stating that recreation and public safety were still not
“I thought recreation was underfunded to begin with. To cut that by anything, I don’t think, is a good thing. I hate the fact that we’re charging to get into the pools … for summer camp … sports programs for kids,” he explained.
“These are all programs that are essential for child development, and we’re essentially stripping them of those opportunities because of their family’s socio-economic status.”
Gilmore noted more money went to the 911 operators, and while he is in support of that, he said their complaints about a hostile and/or untenable work environment remain.
“I’m not opposed to that per se. We paid for a feasibility study to be done and didn’t get the results, according to what the public safety director said. Yet still, we’re hiring new people,” he explained, also speaking out against the payment from the MUA.
Gilmore hasn’t been shy about vocalizing his issues with the MUA, speaking out against their seven percent water and sewer rate hikes they approved in May.
“[Finance Director] Carmen [Gandulla], I know you’re doing the best you can with this budget. It didn’t increase as much,” Council President Joyce Watterman said, commending her for a five-year spending plan to improve the overall situation.
The budget ultimately passed 7-2 without much discussion, with Solomon and Gilmore voting no.