At their meeting Monday, the West New York commissioners introduced the town’s $73.1 million proposed budget, which covers spending from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. There will be a slight tax decrease for homeowners from the third to the fourth quarter, officials said, after they paid a 27 percent increase recently.
At the meeting, the commissioners also moved to ask the state to help supervise the town’s finances. The town suspended their chief financial officer last year.
The commissioners passed a resolution approving the town’s application to the Superior Court of New Jersey for state supervision.
On Wednesday, the state’s Local Finance Board approved the town’s petition for a state monitor.
“We had the ability to convince the state to bring in a monitor who I welcome, and I think it will show the citizens of West New York that we will continue and do everything in a way that is transparent,” said Mayor Sal Vega. He added that the monitor will supervise contracts, bonding, and purchasing matters.
Business Administrator Joseph McConnell.also said that the measure will allow the town to adopt their budget legally, because the amount of the budget increase has exceeded state guidelines.
“We would not be all owed to raise the taxes that much without their help,” said McConnell.
He said that the town is also now able to send out the fourth quarter tax bills in order to have a steady cash flow, without having to borrow money. – AS