Red Bank River Center proposes $579,970 budget, says assessments fall on commercial properties

The Red Bank River Center on Tuesday presented its proposed 2025 budget of $579,970 at a borough council public hearing, saying the plan carries no assessment increase for residents and focuses spending on downtown beautification, programming and debt service for prior 2019 street improvements. "The proposed budget totals $579,970 and reflects no increase in the assessment levied on commercial properties within the district," the River Center presenter said.

The budget, formally approved by the River Center board on Feb. 13, 2025, outlines investments in seasonal decor, business recruitment, public art and community events and continues debt service for White Street improvements. Council members and residents asked about revenue sources, how foot-traffic data were being tracked and opportunities for public participation. The presenter said the special improvement district is funded by assessments on commercial properties inside the district, not by homeowner taxes, and confirmed the River Center is under a multi‑year contract to collect pedestrian metrics and will share the data with council on request.

A resident asked whether the River Center planned to renew contracts for third‑party pedestrian analytics; staff said the two‑year contract remains in effect for 2025 and they are compiling the data for upcoming events. Council members praised recent hardscape and planting projects downtown, and thanked River Center staff for an advertising campaign and planned rail-wrap marketing that they said has raised awareness of local businesses.

The public hearing was opened and closed as part of the council's meeting procedure; no vote to adopt a municipal appropriation was taken at the hearing. Staff said the River Center will continue outreach and committee recruitment to involve local businesses and volunteers in programming and maintenance work.