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Park Ridge council adopts 2026 budget after divided vote; property-tax levy and utility increases included
Summary
The Borough Council of Park Ridge voted to adopt its 2026 municipal budget, approving a $18.76 million plan and raising $11,555,733 by taxation. Council recorded four yes votes and two no votes; presenters cited rising insurance and utility costs and identified major capital projects including a $1.12 million road program.
The Borough of Park Ridge on a recorded vote adopted its 2026 municipal budget, approving the spending and the amounts to be raised by taxation.
Council moved and seconded the adoption of the 2026 municipal budget (resolution number referenced in the meeting as 026-180). During roll call the council recorded the following votes: Council member Bruce Goldsmith — yes; Council member Michael Mintz — no; Council member Hoffman — yes; Council member Fenwick — yes; Council member Metztor — no; Council president Cozzi — yes. The motion carried and the council adopted the budget.
The presenters said the boroughs proposed overall appropriations total $18,762,772 and that the amount to be raised by taxation is $11,555,733. The municipal portion of the budget was presented as yielding a 2.5% municipal tax increase (an estimated $86 annually for the average assessed home, listed at $475,000) and an overall tax levy increase of 2.6. The presenters said increased insurance costs and statutory expenditures were the primary drivers of the increase.
Council members Bruce Goldsmith and Michael Mintz led the municipal portion of the presentation. They described the budgets goals as funding essential services, reserving funds for capital improvements and reducing debt where possible. The presentation listed major capital items the council will consider funding through bonding or appropriations, including the Rhodes/road paving program (proposed $1,120,000), security camera upgrades (~$100,000), DPW vehicle replacements (dump truck $300,000, pickup $70,000) and police vehicle and equipment purchases.
Jeff Rutkowski, president of the Board of Public Works/Utilities, presented the water and electric utility budgets and proposed rate changes. Rutkowski said the water fund requests a 6% increase and the electric fund an 8% increase, driven chiefly by higher insurance and purchase-of-power costs and industry-wide peak-demand charges. He said Park Ridges municipally run utilities remain materially less expensive than comparable private providers, noting a claimed 39% cost advantage on water and a 32% cost advantage on electric compared with large private suppliers.
Council discussed capital projects and funding sources. Speakers noted an existing $1.5 million state grant for the Mill Pond project and that the borough has applied to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (IBANK) for additional support. Presenters cautioned IBANK awards are not guaranteed but can be partly forgivable.
The council concluded the meeting by adopting the budget along with the utility fund totals read into the record: water utility revenues of $5,735,475; electric utility revenues of $12,958,498; pool utility revenue $599,704. The council scheduled public hearings for introduced ordinances related to capital projects for further consideration.
