The Village Council of Ridgewood directed the clerk to prepare a resolution to transmit a ballot question to the Bergen County clerk asking voters in November 2025 whether to increase the village's dedicated open-space tax from one-half cent to one cent per $100 of assessed value.

Jim Bossler, chairman of the Open Space Committee, asked the council "to thank the village council for putting the open space referendum funding measure on the ballot or on the agenda tonight," and the council discussed the policy and timing for placing the question before voters.

The measure would raise the levy from about $0.005 per $100 of assessed value (about $36 per household in 2024) to $0.01 per $100 (about $72 per household). Council members and committee liaisons cited past purchases funded through the open-space trust, naming Habernacle and the preservation of the Schedler property as examples of acquisitions completed with the fund. Council members also discussed expanded allowed uses of the fund, noting the trust can pay debt service on acquisitions and be used for ongoing maintenance of parklands.

Council members emphasized the decision is for voters. Council member Evan said the issue is "do we want to let the taxpayers decide?" and multiple members said they supported placing the question on the ballot so residents can vote on the change. Staff noted the clerk must receive the ballot language no later than mid-August to meet the county clerk's calendar for the November election.

Council direction was procedural: staff (the clerk and village manager) were asked to prepare the formal resolution and the exact ballot language for a future vote to transmit the question to the Bergen County clerk; formal adoption of the resolution and any final action will occur at a later meeting.

The council also discussed outreach and the timing advantage of asking the question during a higher-turnout election. Several council members urged clear public information so voters understand how the funds have been used and would be used if the increase passes.

If adopted for transmission, the clerk will draft the resolution and ballot language and return to the council for formal adoption before the mid-August transmission deadline.