Borough of Bergenfield, New Jersey - official web site of Bergenfield, NJ

As we enter the New Year, 2011 it may be worthwhile to look back at the previous year to review the financial status of the community. This will provide some insight into 2011. In spite of the difficult financial condition faced by our community and nation we maintained borough services with only a minor change in refuse disposal while making some improvements in borough equipment and road repair. This was done with only a 2.3% increase in taxes from the previous year due chiefly to labor cost increases from previous contracts. This 2.3% increase included the exceptions permitted under the 2% cap mandated by the State for 2011.

Taxes are of major importance to our residents and deserve our attention. One often hears criticism of them but never is the criticism supported by hard numbers or hard facts that can be debated. Admittedly taxes are high but they are high throughout the county. Contrary to the criticism, Bergenfield does not have the highest municipal taxes or the highest tax growth rate in the county. On Sunday, November 7, 2010 the Record newspaper published survey data that proves the point. They listed tax increases between 2009 and 2010 in the 70 towns of Bergen County and the 17 in Passaic County. Five towns in Bergen County had a smaller increase than Bergenfield with one tie and the remaining 63 towns higher.

The data also showed taxes increases for the same 87 communities over the period 2005 to 2010. The Bergenfield increase was listed as 15.4%. No other community came even close to the low increase achieved by Bergenfield.

A few examples from our contiguous neighbors show Dumont-27.8%, Englewood-26.8%, New Milford-29.7%, Teaneck-23.8% and Tenafly-29.8%. Most of the remaining communities are listed in the 30% or 40% range with 1 Bergen County town exceeding 60%. This data indicates that your local government has been fiscally conservative over the past few years and is well placed financially to continue this practice as we go forward.

Presently the Finance Committee is crafting the 2011 budget that meets the needs of the municipality’s citizen within the arbitrary and artificial State imposed 2 percent levy cap. While this will be a difficult year due to the cap, the rhetoric emanating from State officials may receives good press coverage but does nothing to provide the skill and creativity needed to achieve an acceptable budget. If State policy makers seriously want to help they must recognize that there is a connection between property taxes and property tax relief funding. It is difficult to maintain a responsible budget when costs not subject to our control keep rising including State pension costs and medical costs while State aid decreases.

As always the ability of your Mayor and Council to serve you effectively, efficiently and economically depends a great deal on what happens or doesn’t happen in our state capital. And that depends a great deal on your communication with your elected officials serving in Trenton’s halls of power. If our representatives could be reminded that the Energy Tax Receipt Property Tax Relief Act and components of the Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Act were promised to the communities for the purpose of property tax relief, it would certainly be helpful.

As yet the borough has not been informed of how much we can expect from the State in aid for property tax relief and the 2011 budget has not been completed. Regardless of future difficulties you can be assured that your Mayor and Council will act in the best interest of our community.

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