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Paterson council approves municipal ID program fee increase after debate over access and revenue
Summary
Paterson City Council adopted an ordinance to continue the municipal identification program and raise fees, following extended debate over how many IDs were issued, whether vulnerable residents should pay and how much revenue the city will generate.
Paterson City Council voted to adopt a second-reading ordinance continuing the city’s municipal identification program and raising associated fees (Ordinance 25-016).
Council members debated the measure for nearly an hour, with several members saying they support the program’s public-safety and service benefits but want clearer data on issuance and revenue before raising fees. Councilwoman Dr. Lalisa Mims asked for records showing “the quantity of IDs that have been given out and how much money that has come in,” and proposed the city consider a program to provide some IDs at no cost to residents who cannot pay.
The ordinance’s proponents emphasized practical uses of the municipal ID for local services. Councilwoman Ruby Cotton said the city issues IDs and sometimes does not charge, noting the program serves residents who lack state-issued identification. Councilman Oden and others argued IDs have been useful for school access and local services and described the proposed fee increases as modest in many categories.
Opponents said increases place new burdens on low-income residents. Councilman Velez pointed to past issuance numbers, saying the program saw thousands of IDs early on and far fewer later, and urged offering IDs for free to seniors and other vulnerable groups. Councilwoman Mims said the fee increase would not cover the city’s budget gaps and asked that the city consider targeted free issuance for residents in need.
Council members moved to a roll call after discussion. The final vote on second reading was 6 in favor, 3 opposed. The ordinance text shown in the record raised some fees from $5 to $10 or higher tiers for certain applicants and included separate pricing by age and eligibility.
The council asked municipal staff and the business administrator to supply a breakdown of total IDs issued and program revenue for follow-up; council members also suggested exploring a policy to provide a set number of free IDs for low-income or otherwise underserved residents.
The ordinance was adopted at the meeting and will take effect according to the schedule in the city code; council members requested a report back with the issuance and revenue figures for review.
