March 30, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Ho-Ho-Kus Municipal, water, solid waste budgets introduced by Jennifer Crusco Acting at last week’s special session, the Ho-Ho-Kus Council introduced its $7,655,088 municipal budget, the $811,000 water utility budget, and the $780,000 solid waste utility budget for 2011. The council also scheduled an April 26 public hearing, which will be held at borough hall at 7 p.m. Although the state mandated a two percent cap this year, the 2011 municipal budget was trimmed to within a one percent levy cap. As a result, the borough will now have $110,000 to “bank” for potential use in 2012. The budget, which is down $235,000 from last year’s spending plan, includes a tax rate of 56 cents per $100 of assessed value. That rate will translate to a $10 per month increase in municipal-purpose taxes for the owner of a home assessed at the recalibrated average of $725,000. The average assessment was adjusted downward from $900,000 following last year’s reassessment. Officials cautioned that the municipal tax rate is one component of the total tax rate, a figure that also includes school and county taxes. According to borough statistics, municipal taxes account for 30 percent of the total tax levy, with school taxes accounting for 57 percent and Bergen County taxes accounting for 13 percent. This year’s municipal budget includes $5,178,031 in appropriations that are within the cap, and $2,277,057 in appropriations that are excluded from the cap. The reserve for uncollected taxes is $200,000. The borough anticipates revenues from various sources in the aggregate amount of $1,145,540, leaving the amount to be raised by taxation at $6,509,548. Councilman Kevin Crossley explained that he and his peers on the Budget Committee had made numerous departmental cuts, and handled lost revenues and increases in insurance and pension costs to arrive at a fiscally sound budget. “A certain level of service must exist,” Crossley said, “and public health and safety are our first concerns.” He urged the members of the public to familiarize themselves with the details of the budget, which will be posted on the borough’s website. Councilman Kevin Shea, who also served on the Budget Committee, commended the borough’s staff members, who are being called upon to work more hours. He also pointed to the borough’s efforts to be timely and transparent in terms of the budget process. Ho-Ho-Kus Chief Financial Officer Joseph Citro noted that the budget includes $130,000 from surplus for tax relief, an increase in $128,000 in pension costs, and a $250,000 savings through attrition. Paul Garbarini, the borough’s auditor, said, “I think it’s an excellent budget. Many other towns are having trouble. You met all the requirements. It’s a well-done job.” Mayor Thomas Randall noted that, although many cuts have been made, the safety and character of Ho-Ho-Kus would not be negatively impacted. “We do not claim to have all the answers,” Randall added, noting that the public would be welcome to provide input at next month’s public hearing. Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor Thomas Randall recently reported that municipal officials are considering the possibility of limiting the number of restaurants/eateries that will be permitted to operate in the borough. Speaking at last week’s public meeting, Randall said the borough is currently in good shape, but the goal is to encourage a mix of businesses in town. The mayor pointed to the need for access to those businesses, and limited parking has been a perennial concern in Ho-Ho-Kus. Randall said the borough welcomes input from the Ho-Ho-Kus Chamber of Commerce. In a subsequent interview, the mayor explained that the business diversity issue has been reviewed at the planning board Borough mulls limit on local restaurants level, where informal ideas have been discussed. He pointed out that the borough now has a good mix of restaurants, and acknowledged that parking is the crux of the issue. “We have to make sure we can adjust,” he said. “When there is an overconcentration of a use, you lose the ability to accommodate parking. We will discuss this with the local business owners. We certainly want good communication with the downtown community, the Ho-Ho-Kus Chamber of Commerce, and the businesses.” He added that local officials are open to ideas regarding possible solutions to this issue. The mayor said the council and planning board would have to review any (continued on page 10) Go Green ... Save Green. Make your home beautiful from the outside in. 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