The Jersey City Department of Public Safety and ice skaters across the city are the big winners in the proposed $724 million municipal budget for 2024 that will cost the average homeowner $73 more than this year.
The city’s public safety spending is the largest part of the city budget, accounting for nearly 30% of the city’s expenditures. Most of the divisions under public safety would see large increases, including the fire department and communications, which includes the troubled and short-staffed 911 call center.
The city’s police department would see salary and wages increase by more than $3 million, from $104.4 million to $107.6 million. The city’s fire department would see a $835,905 hike in salary and wages, with expenses getting a boost of $117,540.
The city council will vote to introduce the budget at Wednesday’s meeting before finalizing the spending plan later this year.
Mayor Steve Fulop touted his spending plan Monday in a press release, saying it would only increase the municipal levy by 1.93%. He noted the budget includes funding for an additional 30 employees in the 911 call center, money for animal control and shelter services, and an enhanced public safety and police/community relations program.
“While fixed costs are nearly double the rate of inflation — such as 6% increases for health insurance and pension contributions — this budget is responsible and still expands critical city services that residents rely on,” Fulop said.
The city has increased communications salary and wages by $853,984 but trimmed other expenses in the division by $593,966.
There’s also funding in the budget for the long out-of-commission Pershing Field ice rink, which will also see some funding from a $50 million capital improvements bond up for introduction Wednesday.
City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said the city is confident the spending plan “will make the ice rink operational for this winter season, and the necessary resources are in place for the 911 response.”
The city budget is a 3.25% increase from the $701 million budget approved last year. The city anticipates a surplus of $38 million for 2024, a 71% increase from $22 million in 2023.
Taxpayers will see no increase in the Jersey City public school budget, while the Hudson County spending plan, which would finalize each property tax bill, has not yet been approved.
The city has had a rough few years financially after accumulating $92 million in debt due to the revenue losses and expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The city was forced to spread $57 million of debt over five years, which is expected to cost taxpayers at least 2% more in taxes through 2028.
But the city found a lifeline when the autonomous Municipal Utilities Authority signed a 40-year deal for water and sewerage services. The deal will put $50 million in the city’s pockets — $30 million this year and then $10 million each of the next two years.
Councilman James Solomon wants to know how that money is being used toward the new budget. Meanwhile, Councilman Frank Gilmore wants to know how much money will be dedicated to mental health crisis response programs.
The city is also looking to spread $18.7 million in tax appeals refunds over the next five years in an ordinance up for first reading, an idea that Solomon said “isn’t the worst thing in the world.”
