Ho-Ho-Kus June 2, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Budget has zero spending increase, but taxes still rise by Jennifer Crusco The Ho-Ho-Kus Council last week introduced a $7,890,393 municipal purpose budget for 2010, which reflects a zero increase in expenditures over last year’s spending plan. Councilman/Finance Chairman Gordon Hamm explained “We’re all faced with difficult times. We started working on this budget last year, and we wanted a zero increase in expenditures.” He continued that the lack of funds from investment income and fees to offset those expenses left the council fighting an uphill battle. Hamm said that cuts have been made in many departments, including staff members, to effect the zero increase. “The pie didn’t increase, yet we’re eating more of that pie,” he said. This year’s tax levy will be $6,298,538, up from $5,913,836 in 2009. Ho-Ho-Kus Chief Financial Officer Joseph Citro said the tax rate associated with this budget is 46 cents per $100 of assessed value. Using that rate, the owner of a home valued at the borough’s average assessment of $900,000 would pay an additional $261 per year in support of this budget, Citro explained. That figure does not include taxes for the school district or for Bergen County. Councilman Kevin Crossley said he had focused on the borough’s insurance expenses. He said there was no profitsharing from the Joint Insurance Fund this year, and the borough was hit in the general insurance costs from the start. Mayor Thomas Randall pointed to the $381,000 in uncontrolled increases that came in the areas of group insurance, $165,000; debt service, $94,000; sewer authority charges, $80,000; general insurance, $25,000; and pensions, $17,000. “That is a bill we must pay, and it’s a huge hit for us,” Randall said. He added that the borough must be mindful of the amount of surplus the municipality uses e a c h ye a r, a n d n ot e d t h e lo s s of (continued on page 21) John Wanamaker, a 26-year veteran of the Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department, has been sworn in as the department’s captain. Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor Thomas Randall administered the oath of office as Wanamaker’s wife, Meg, held the Bible and their son Jake and Kyle, and Ho-Ho-Kus Police Commissioners John Mongelli and Gordon Hamm looked on. Afterward, the captain was enthusiastically greeted by Police Chief Gregory Kallenberg (inset), the members of the borough council, friends, family members, and members of the police department. Before his promotion, Wanamaker had been the department’s lieutenant. New captain The New York Metro area’s top Beatles cover band! 6 PM – 8 PM INDOOR CONCERT AT FELLOWSHIP HALL. HALL DOORS OPEN TO OUTDOOR SEATING SO BRING YOUR OWN LAWN CHAIR!! 96 E. Allendale Road, Saddle River, NJ 07458 Food and refreshments available with all proceeds to benefit Zion Lutheran Church & “Hopes and Dreams” (Down’s Syndrome Charity) SUNDAY, JUNE 6TH MYSTICAL MAJESTY BAND FREE ADMISSION!!! But STILL can’t lose that Tummy or Cellulite? Call me about VelaShapeTM A NEW Nonsurgical method of Fat reduction and body contouring • Non-invasive • No Anesthesia • No Downtime Beverly Dunn, MD Waldwick, NJ • 201-445-0032 Dieting? Working Out? ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH For more information, call: 201-327-0655 ��� Men’s Sandals ���������������������������� ��������������� ������������ �������������������������������������������������� ����������������� ������ ����