EAST ORANGE, NJ — Mayor Ted Green introduced a proposed city budget of $145 million for 2018, with a 2.7-percent tax increase, at the East Orange City Council’s regular meeting Monday, April 9.
Green said there are no layoffs, no deferred compensation for employees and no interruptions in services for residents and business owners in his budget, but the 2.7-percent increase means the average East Orange household will pay an additional $131 annually or $11 more each month than the previous year. He also said it’s $1.2 million greater than the 2017 budget, due to “unanticipated expenses left over from the previous administration.”
According to city clerk Cynthia Brown, now that council has Green’s proposed budget, a series of hearings are scheduled for May 7, 8, 9 and May 10, at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
“The public hearing is to take place May 29, at 5 p.m.,” said Brown on Monday, April 16.
Green said the proposed budget also meets some of his administration’s top priorities, such as hiring 24 police officers, purchasing 15 patrol vehicles and more surveillance cameras, and a lease-to-purchase deal on new street sweepers to bring that operation “in house” for the first time in 13 years.
“This budget has no frills, no shortcuts and no extras,” said Green on Sunday, April 15. “I want to thank my business administrator, Solomon Steplight, and all of the members of my administration for rolling up their sleeves to provide the necessary leadership that promotes fiscal well-being for the great city of East Orange. This budget is both resourceful and responsive to the growing needs of our community. I urge the East Orange City Council to continue our partnership and pass our budget as soon as possible.”
Attempts to contact East Orange City Council Chairman Romal Bullock for comment about the proposed budget were unsuccessful by press time this week. Last year, when Green was still the council’s chairman, former Mayor Lester Taylor introduced his fourth and final $140 million 2017 budget proposal to the governing body at its regular meeting on Monday, March 13, 2017.
Taylor’s last budget didn’t contain any tax increases, but Green and the council rejected it anyway. At the time, Green said the rejection had nothing to do with him running for mayor because, by that time, Taylor had already announced he would not seek re-election.
“The East Orange Council voted not to accept the administration’s budget in its current form,” said Green on Monday, March 20, 2017. “We have several questions about the legitimacy of the proposed expenditures, revenue streams and their classifications, which in its existing state, hampers the authenticity of a real tax decrease. We are the stewards of our great city and its financial well-being, so we could not, in good conscience, vote to accept the proposed budget as it was presented to us by the mayor.”
Last year, Green said President Donald Trump’s administration was implementing policies likely to have a long-term impact on East Orange’s local finances, so council had no choice but to reject Taylor’s last budget.
“President Trump’s budget cuts hurt vital services, such as senior meals and youth programs, and increase the load municipal governments must carry to maintain a sound quality of life for residents,” said Green on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. “These times call for thorough planning and conservation. Out of concern for the city’s financial future and the direct impact this budget will have on our citizenry, the council must ensure proper utilization of the budget surplus.”
But Green said the governing body’s rejection didn’t mean the council would not work with Taylor to produce an acceptable budget. Taylor’s revised 2017 budget proposal was accepted by the council a week later, and eventually approved.
Green and his council colleagues, including 1st Ward Councilman Chris James, his eventual 2017 running mate, said they were concerned about trying to find ways to help homeowners facing mortgage foreclosure, despite the challenges of finding ways to trim the budget as much as possible, while still delivering the expected services. On Monday, April 24, 2017, Green and James announced they were considering adding East Orange to the growing list of municipal governments across the country divesting funds from banking giant Wells Fargo, in the wake of recent scandals and allegations of engaging in practices that are not in depositors’ and customers’ best interests.
On Monday, April 24, 2017, James said, “We may be the first city in New Jersey to announce our divestment from Wells Fargo, but we are part of a growing movement of local governments across the country taking similar action.”
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