PARK RIDGE—The Borough Council approved a $17.3 million municipal budget on May 24 that increases local taxes an average $133 yearly — including a budget increase of slightly over $400,000 from last year with a municipal tax levy of $11,888,258 to be paid by local taxpayers.
Voting in favor were councilwoman Kelly Epstein, and councilmen Matthew Capilli, John Ferguson and Robert Metzdorf.
Councilman William Fenwick voted no and councilman John M. Cozzi was absent.
The average Park Ridge home is assessed at $474,000. A May 24 budget presentation showed a property tax dollar breakout as follows: 66 cents for school taxes; 23 cents for municipal taxes; 10 cents for county taxes; and one cent (mandated) for public library tax.
The $17,296,470 annual 2022 budget shows $5,408,212 from General Revenues; $11,253,369 to be raised by municipal tax levy; and $634,889 from the mandatory minimum library tax.
The 2022 budget includes capital projects such as: $1,000,000 for roads/roads program; $210,000 for a pistol range upgrade; $80,000 for acquisition of fire department chief’s vehicle; $79,400 for new in-car police cameras with five-year warranty; $60,000 for acquisition of a police department SUV; $22,200 for new police department radios; and $18,000 for a new engine on the DPW’s leaf vacuum.
The borough has three utilities: a pool utility, water utility and electric utility. The budget presentation showed that the pool has maintained the same rates for the last three years; had over $300,000 in revenues despite Covid outbreaks in 2021; and has a new online registration system and updated locker rooms.
The water utility showed how its rates compared with SUEZ, now Veiola. Park Ridge’s rate per 1,000 gallons is 5.06 cents versus 6.35 for Veiola; a monthly bill averages $45.54 versus $54.17 with Veiola; and a yearly bill is $546.48 versus $685.80 from Veiola.
An average Park Ridge/Woodcliff Lake water customer would pay $139.32 more per year with Veiola, said officials.
Moreover, Park Ridge electric utility rates were lower than rates from PSE&G and Rockland Power & Gas. Based on an average 900 kilowatt usage per month, an average Park Ridge customer pays $1,799.16 yearly, while PSE&G customer pays $1,941.96, or $2,143.56 from Rockland. That amounts to $142.80 more with PSE&G and $344.40 yearly from Rockland, notes the budget presentation, said officials.
Capital outlays for the electric utility include transformers, cables, meters, distribution materials, street lighting equipment, and the Mill Street Substation. No estimated costs were provided for any of the outlays.
The Board of Public Works, which oversees the public utilities, includes Keith Misciagna, Mayor; Jeff Rutkowski, President; Michael Mintz, Vice President; Sean McNamara, Treasurer; Frank Pantaleo, Member; and Rob Metzdorf, Council Liaison.
The presentation detailed the steps used to formulate an annual budget. This includes reviewed and evaluated prior year’s budget and spending/revenue position; identified municipal budget goals; reviewed requests with department heads; conducted multiple reviews of the budget with Finance Committee and select department heads and adjusted; prepared Final Budget and introduced April 26; and conducted public hearing; and adopted budget.
This year’s Finance Committee included Misciagna, Metzdorf, Fenwick, and Borough Administrator Julie Falkenstern, CFO/Treasurer Connie Carpenter, Tax Collector/Assistant Treasurer Jessica Mazzarella, and Auditor Jeff Bliss of Lerch, Vinci & Higgins.
Previously, Falkenstern told Pascack Press that the two largest 2022 municipal increases were in the public safety and public works budget line items. These included a new solid waste contract with Interstate Waste Services, Teaneck, which is up over $150,000, and increased costs for street repaving projects.
Other increases under public safety included hiring an extra police officer, and increased costs for officers’ body-worn cameras, police vehicle cameras, and storage costs for recorded police camera video.