Approved 2013 Village Municipal Budget Features No Tax Increase

The Ridgewood Village Council on Wednesday passed a budget that for the first time in nearly 20 years will not grow or increase taxes.

The $45.3 million budget, a decrease from the prior year by roughly $680,000, was passed 4-1. The average homeowner – with a home valued at $686,000 – will see either flat municipal taxes or a slight reduction. Those whose home lost less than 13 percent of value on the reassessment will see a tax increase. The average homeowner pays just shy of $4,000 in municipal taxes a year.

Library funding increased to 2009 spending levels, and Graydon Pool will see extended hours for a consecutive year. Village Manager Ken Gabbert said "key" village services – like public safety, infrastructure, refuse collection – will remain "well in tact."

"As the first no growth, no tax increase budget in nearly 20 years, this is a major accomplishment – one for which we should all feel proud," Mayor Paul Aronsohn said Thursday. "We've worked hard to provide relief for Ridgewood taxpayers, and this flat budget – which is actually about $700,000 less than last year's budget – is the first big step toward that goal."

Citing concern over the drawing of $3 million in surplus funds, Councilman Tom Riche voted against the passage of the budget. Aronsohn said FEMA money will replenish the surplus, which will increase over that of 2012.

Officials acknowledged structural financial issues must be addressed for the zero'd budget to be anything more than a one-time occurrence. Village health and pension costs continue to rise, and public safety salaries and wages rose $330,000.

Starting as soon as next year, municipal departments will have to be restructured, Gabbert said.

"With the help of the newly formed Financial Advisory Committee, we expect to take that taxpayer relief to the next level," Aronsohn said. "This is a good moment in the life of our community. This is a good moment for Ridgewood taxpayers."