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Mayor Sokolich: Fort Lee faces a tough budget year but will keep events and avoid layoffs
Summary
Mayor Sokolich told the council that health-insurance increases, user-fee hikes and tax appeals have created a challenging municipal budget year; he pledged no layoffs and highlighted major community events planned for 2026.
Mayor Mark Sokolich told the Borough of Fort Lee on Feb. 19 that the borough faces “a more challenging financial climate” in 2026 because of rising insurance costs, user fees and tax appeals, but said officials will avoid layoffs as they balance the budget.
"We don’t lay off, we don’t furlough," Sokolich said, calling on departments to "sharpen their pencils" as staff negotiate a budget that seeks to limit tax impacts. He noted health-insurance increases of roughly 25–30 percent and cited examples of family policies and specific contract figures discussed by borough staff.
Sokolich also previewed a heavy events calendar that will affect planning and costs: Fort Lee will mark the U.S. 250th anniversary, the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and host World Cup watch parties, beginning with a community watch party June 19. The mayor said the Memorial Day parade, fireworks and reenactment will be significantly expanded for the sesquicentennial celebrations, which will require extra resources and coordination.
The remarks framed later council votes on contracts and grant applications during the meeting, where officials emphasized both fiscal caution and continued municipal programming.
