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Council schedules funding plan for $1.2M reassessment, update to permit and memorial fees
Summary
Council discussed a $1.2 million five-year reassessment appropriation, updates to engineering permit fees to align with Bergen County rates, and new pricing for commemorative trees and benches; the reassessment will be paid in five annual installments (~$240,000/year).
Ridgewood — At its May 27 workshop the Village Council reviewed several budget and fee items including a proposed five-year special emergency appropriation for a full property reassessment and staff recommendations to update permit and memorial-fee schedules.
Staff briefed the council on a proposed special emergency appropriation to fund a villagewide reassessment of real property estimated at $1.2 million. The expense would be paid over five years with approximately $240,000 charged per annual budget, the manager said. Officials noted an earlier effort to include the reassessment in the current year’s budget had been unsuccessful because of levy and appropriation caps.
Public Works Director/Engineer James McGrath presented a comprehensive review of Chapter 145 permit fees for site grading and stormwater control, recommending adjustments to bring municipal fees in line with Bergen County market rates. Council members said the prior fee schedule had not kept pace with administrative costs and that the proposed changes were intended to be competitive while covering staff processing costs; the ordinance is planned to take effect September 1, 2026.
Parks and Recreation staff proposed updates to fees for commemorative trees and benches so donations more closely match actual installation and maintenance costs; the PRC board reviewed and approved the recommendations. Council discussion emphasized the goal of cost recovery rather than profit from memorial donations.
Council also heard a brief update from the clerk proposing amendments to taxi and limousine licensing to replace license cards with operator licenses and to update insurance limits to conform to New Jersey law.
Next steps: The reassessment appropriation and fee ordinances will be scheduled for formal votes at upcoming public sessions.
