EMERSON—The Borough Council have introduced a preliminary budget of nearly $16 million for 2024–2025—an increase of $562,498 over last year’s municipal budget—that will increase average annual taxes by $98.
Council voted, 4-0, to introduce the $15,815,200 preliminary budget on April 2 Council President Michael Timmerman, Brian Gordon, Ashley Rice and Jill McGuire voted in favor, with McGuire and Gordon both voting remotely. Councilors Kelly Moore and Nicole Argenzia were absent.
A budget public hearing is scheduled for May 7, 7:30 p.m. at Borough Hall. Mayor Danielle DiPaola said the borough’s chief financial officer, Lauren Roehrer, and borough auditor, will be available then to answer budget questions.
DiPaola said that the average 2024 municipal tax increase will be $98.00 yearly, approximately $8.00 per month on the average assessed home of $447,060.
“That is a 2.32% tax increase over last year, which is under the national inflation rate of 3.15%,” DiPaola said.
The preliminary budget shows $11,846,445 is to be raised by local taxes, which is an increase of $292,393, or 2.32%.
“Included in this budget is our continued focus on improving borough infrastructures, which includes the annual road program to keep our roads up to date as well as the borough’s commitment to utilizing grants,” said DiPaola, before the budget was introduced.
She said more than $500,000 in grant money was being used to offset four 2024 budget items including the firehouse elevator, improved Ackerman basketball courts, firefighter personal protective equipment, and a state DOT road project.
She said the preliminary budget documents would be posted on the borough website April 3 for public inspection. Pascack Press found a complete preliminary budget spreadsheet, plus a user-friendly preliminary budget posted online the next day.