HOBOKEN —After The Hoboken Reporter broke the story regarding an expected five percent tax decrease on Sunday, the budget will be formally introduced at this evening’s city council meeting.
Earlier today, the Zimmer administration issued a press release explaining the public process for introduction of the budget.
A ‘yes’ vote for the introduction of the budget by the city council does not represent approval of the budget, but rather a willingness to accept the budget as a starting point to begin its work,” according to the press release.
After the introduction tonight, the council has the responsibility to review, amend as needed, and adopt the budget.
The process will also include budget workshops, which are currently scheduled for Monday, Sept. 13, and Wednesday, Sept. 22 from 6 – 10 p.m. At that time, directors, as well as the police and fire chiefs, will present their budget and answer the council’s questions. The workshops are open to the public to observe the process, and will also be televised and available through the city’s website.
State law requires a public hearing, which cannot occur until 28 days after the budget has been introduced. The public budget hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m.
According to the city press release, the budget anticipates using $1.9 million of the $11.9 million unrestricted surplus, which would bring the surplus to $10 million.
The 2010 Transition Year Budget is available for download at: http://hobokennj.org/docs/businessadmin/Budget-TY-2010.pdf
The council meeting begins at 7 p.m. and can be viewed here, on the Hudson Reporter website: Live video chat by Ustream