I am releasing the following statement regarding the additional $4.2 M recently charged to the City by the State for an improper Early Retirement Incentive plan. This statement reflects my opinion alone and does not represent the opinion of any other group I might be associated with.
Unfortunately, the tax situation in Hoboken is getting worse before it is getting better. Something must be done and the time to act is now. Please read the following statement and distribute as appropriate. Your input and feedback is always welcome.
Thanks,
Scott
From: Scott Delea
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2009
Re: $4.2 Million More Charged to Hoboken Taxpayers Due to City Incompetence
This past Thursday, Judy Tripodi, the State-Appointed Fiscal Monitor for the City of Hoboken, sent a letter to the Mayor and Council informing them that the State Department of the Treasury, Division of Pensions and Benefits, determined they enacted an unauthorized Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) program which will result in $4,258,807 charge to the City, payable immediately.
Unless the City magically pulls a rabbit out of its hat of financial tricks, the City will further increase taxes on our already overtaxed homeowners. This unauthorized action will cost taxpayers at a time when we can least afford it. If the $4.2 million is raised by increasing taxes, the tax levy for FY09 ending in June will go from $34 million in FY08 to an unfathomable $68.2 million in FY09. This is an outrageous 100% increase in Municipal taxes!
Mismanagement
When will the mismanagement, incompetence, or possible criminal actions taken by members of this administration stop? How did the Mayor's office and City Council approve such a measure? How many other "surprises" will bleed our taxpayers of their hard earned money at a time we need it most? Why are we over seven months into our fiscal year and spending approximately $700,000 on salaries and benefits for a Mayor, Council and Fiscal Monitor who only seem to increase taxes? In fact, we were told the 3rd quarter tax bill would have kept taxes at the same inflated level as the previous 1st and 2nd quarters. This was before the news of the Mayor's and Council's latest financial boondoggle.
Accountability
When will someone be held accountable? Private sector employees lose jobs for less than this. Everyone responsible for this failure should be fired immediately, without pay or "golden parachutes". These elected or appointed officials and employees have already cost the taxpayer millions. It is time to aggressively hold people accountable and "clean house". If criminal actions occurred, everyone involved should be prosecuted. It is time for our elected officials to get serious about running the City as a business instead of their own personal treasure chest for insiders.
Better Communication and Transparency
Why aren't taxpayers being adequately informed of the state of our finances? We deserve better communication and information from City Hall and our elected leaders on the current state of affairs. We do not appreciate these $4.2 million "surprises". You were elected to be caretakers of our money. We deserve to know immediately and directly how this $4.2 million charge will impact our tax rate for the upcoming months and years. And, we deserve full disclosure of all the fiscal mistakes that have occurred.
A Rallying Cry
This situation is yet another wake up call for the citizens of Hoboken. We must continue to demand change, NOW. We must continue to be vigilant, to organize and to demand greater leadership and results from our elected officials. We can and must do better. I strongly encourage residents get involved by attending meetings and joining organized groups at websites such as www.LowerHobokenTaxes.com and www.HobokenRevolt.com. Ultimately, the power to change the status quo lies with the voters this upcoming May. Be sure to register to vote, learn about the issues and have your voices heard at the ballot box.
Sincerely,
Scott Delea ◦
