Ridgewood council adopts $64.8 million 2025 budget after state-directed technical amendments; tax base rises after Valley Hospital assessment

The Village Council adopted a $64.8 million municipal budget for 2025 on the council's May meeting, approving a 3.14% municipal tax increase that the manager said translates to about $149.63 for a home assessed at $712,700.

The budget matters because it funds public safety, parks and roads and reflects a substantial change on the revenue side: Village officials said the taxable base rose by more than $200 million this year after the former Valley Hospital property was assessed and added to the tax rolls.

Village Manager (identified in the meeting as Keith) told the council the spending plan was intended to be "fiscally responsible, with a minimal impact on taxpayers," and cited priorities that include continued road resurfacing, water and wastewater maintenance, and public-safety staffing. The manager also said the increase roughly matches regional inflation and illustrated…