Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Highlands council adopts 2025 municipal budget, approves consent agenda and introduces bond ordinances
Summary
At its April 16 meeting the Borough of Highlands council adopted the 2025 municipal budget, approved a multi-item consent agenda including dredging and shared-services actions, passed a sign ordinance on final reading and introduced two bond ordinances for sewer and capital improvements for public hearing on May 7, 2025.
The Borough of Highlands mayor and council adopted the 2025 municipal budget and approved a slate of routine resolutions at their April 16 regular meeting.
Pat, a borough staff member, summarized the budget during the public hearing, saying the borough’s assessed value increased from $1,092,000,000 in 2024 to about $1,347,000,000 in 2025 and that “it’s going to go to 0.8,” referring to an estimated drop in the tax rate from roughly 0.935. “It’s very lean, it’s precise and it’s workable,” Pat said. After that presentation the council offered and seconded resolution R25-109 to adopt the 2025 budget; the motion carried.
The council also approved the consent agenda (resolutions R25-100 through R25-108). The items read into the record included an amendment to a shared-services agreement with the Henry Hudson Regional School District, authorization to award a contract for dredging a section of Jones Creek, approval of a social affairs permit for the Highlands Fire Department, acknowledgment of a land use board consistency report for ordinance O25-05, acceptance of an asset activation plan prepared by Higher Group and Associates, authorization to sell municipally owned property at public auction, payment of bills, and a certification regarding consideration of arrest and conviction records in employment decisions.
On ordinances, the council held the public hearing and passed ordinance O25-05 (amending borough code chapters on signs and zoning) on second and final reading. Two bond ordinances were introduced on first reading and scheduled for public hearings on May 7, 2025: O25-06, a bond ordinance described in the hearing as providing for sewer utility improvements and the acquisition of sewer utility equipment (the ordinance text as read referenced $86,250 in appropriations and bonds and notes), and O25-07, a bond ordinance to provide for capital improvements and equipment (the transcript records appropriation and bond figures that were not clearly enunciated during the reading). Council members also discussed capital needs including a pumper truck replacement and radio equipment for emergency services during those items.
There were brief reports about upcoming community events — the Roar on the River coordination meeting, Cinco de Highlands, a school budget meeting at the high school on April 30 and plans for a Sculpture of Adelaide next summer.
Before adjourning, the council adopted a resolution to enter executive session, citing attorney-client privilege and matters including a steep-slope ordinance and municipal parking regulation, under NJSA 10:4-13; no formal action was taken during executive session. The regular meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Votes at a glance: R25-100 through R25-108 — adopted (consent agenda); R25-109 (2025 municipal budget) — adopted; O25-05 — passed on second and final reading; O25-06 — introduced (first reading), public hearing set for 05/07/2025; O25-07 — introduced (first reading), public hearing set for 05/07/2025.
