BERGENFIELD COUNCIL PASSES 0% MUNICIPAL TAX INCREASE BUDGET FOR 2ND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Finance Committee Chair Amatorio: ‘We’re Committed to Protecting Bergenfield Taxpayers’

BERGENFIELD, NJ — Bergenfield Finance Committee Chairman Councilman Arvin Amatorio is proud to announce that the Borough’s Municipal Budget for the year 2019 was adopted on Tuesday, April 2, and for the second consecutive year he has worked alongside his Council colleagues to deliver a 0% tax increase.

“I am very pleased and proud of the accomplishments of the entire Council, especially the Finance Committee in delivering this municipal budget,” Councilman Amatorio stated. “Delivering a second consecutive zero tax increase amidst rising costs and flat state aid is an exceptional achievement that proves this Council’s commitment to protecting Bergenfield taxpayers and operating a lean, efficient municipal government.”

The 2019 Municipal Budget, which was unanimously approved, has a total appropriation of $39,364,990,00, with no tax increases. Although the current budget appropriation is less than a 1% increase from 2018, most of the increase is related to health care costs, contractual employment obligations, and waste disposal. As a means to offset these uncontrollable increases, the Borough utilized surplus funds from the prior year and provide a 0% increase for the 2nd consecutive year.

With this budget, as drafted by Amatorio, the Borough will not only meet its obligation to pay a portion of its current capital improvement budget, but will continue to aggressively pay down its existing debt at an accelerated rate.

“Fiscal discipline like this is the reason Moody’s recently upgraded Bergenfield’s financial credit status from a AA3 to a AA2,” said Councilman Amatorio. “While we’re protecting taxpayers, we’re also investing in our community by continuing to upgrade and improve our roadways, infrastructure and equipment with a $2.7 million capital plan so to ensure the residents of Bergenfield are provided the best services possible.”

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