Council opens hearing on Hoboken Business Alliance budget as concerns rise over services, charges to apartment owners

The Hoboken City Council opened a public hearing on the Hoboken Business Alliance’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget and a set of amendments to Chapter 179, the city’s Special Improvement District (SID) ordinance, hearing testimony from HBA staff, council members and multiple residents.

HBA attorney Patrick Conlin and James (identified in the record only by his first name), president of the HBA board, told the council the organization expects some administrative cost increases driven by rising health-care costs, a staff position converting to full-time and higher annual contract costs for supplemental cleaning. The HBA said it had tightened discretionary spending, delayed capital purchases and shifted some work in‑house to reduce overall increases. "We are champion for all of Hoboken's businesses with our services, our data, and our support," James said during the presentation.

The HBA presentation said public‑realm spending and economic and community development spending would fall under the proposed plan while administrative costs would rise. The group presented visitor data from its vendor DataFi showing increases in visits over three years and a per‑visitor spending estimate of about $75, figures HBA leaders said support their event and tourism work.

Council members pressed the HBA for more granular data and for evidence that services reach every ward. Council President Zano, Councilman Quintero and others asked for ward‑level figures on business revenue — not just visits — and the frequency of street services such as graffiti removal and emptying dog‑waste stations. "If we're gonna talk about the dollars, we should also talk about the service and the frequency of those services," Quintero said.

Several council members and trustees on the HBA board praised floral displays, bistro lighting and holiday events but said coordination with city departments could improve. Councilman Russo asked the HBA to provide the council with the exact SID rate schedule for each subdistrict and the service levels tied to those rates; the HBA said it would provide that breakdown.

In public comment, several residents sharply criticized the HBA’s operations and the SID charge. Rosemarie Markle, who identified herself as a property owner, said many 4C apartment buildings are forced to pay the SID tax but receive little direct benefit; she said one hardship application had been denied in six years. "A quarter of the properties that are forced to pay this tax receive absolutely no benefits," Markle said. She also raised questions about staff salaries, benefits and grants the HBA awards to businesses.

Council members asked the administration and HBA to coordinate on outreach to new businesses, on preparation for major upcoming events (including the World Cup), and on whether some services could be delivered by city crews rather than through HBA contracts.

On the SID amendments, the council held the ordinance up for second‑reading vote. The roll call recorded during the meeting shows mixed votes: several council members voted yes and several no; the ordinance passed on the floor (vote recorded in the meeting transcript). The council also approved procedural motions to close the public portion of the hearing and to read the HBA budget by title.

What happens next: The HBA said its board will adjust budget lines if anticipated outside grant funding does not arrive. Council members asked the HBA to return with the detailed per‑subdistrict rate and service frequency data the council requested so ward impacts can be evaluated before final budget adoption.