Mayor Gusciora Sends Letter to Council President McBride Requesting Resumption of City Budget Hearings

Administration to request a State monitor if Council continues to cancel budget hearings

TRENTON, N.J. – Yesterday, Mayor W. Reed Gusciora sent a letter to City Council President Kathy McBride regarding her refusal to consider the administration’s proposed 2022 budget.

On Monday, following individual cancellations of budget hearings with the administration, McBride announced the cancellation of all budget hearings until a budget officer is hired by the City to “explain” the Administration’s budget submission.

DOCUMENT LINK: Letter to Council President Regarding Budget Hearings

“In the five budgets submitted by this administration to City Council, a budget officer was only involved in the first one, in 2018,” Gusciora wrote in his letter to McBride. “The last four budgets, including the past three approved by City Council, have been prepared and presented without a budget officer,” and each was approved by the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

Should the City Council continue to refuse to consider the budget, Gusciora said the administration will request a financial monitor be imposed by DCA so that the proposed 2022 budget be reviewed and adopted.

“The City is trying to build momentum,” Gusciora said. “We’ve been able to work with City Council each budget cycle to sustain minimal tax impact for residents. We don’t want to waste momentum. The City stands ready to continue our work with Council as soon as possible.”

In April, the administration submitted its proposed budget to City Council representing an unprecedented 30-month stretch where the City did not need to raise the municipal portion of tax rates.