What does a “Zero-Budget” mean?

A Sixth Straight ZERO

At last night’s Teaneck Council meeting, the Council voted to introduce a SIXTH straight budget with a 0% tax levy increase on the Municipal side of the tax bill. At a time when many Teaneck residents are struggling with financial uncertainty, Teaneck’s Council remains mindful of its residents’ needs.  Without a reduction of ANY municipal services, we will even will be paving more roads (including Windsor Rd).

The 0% tax levy was the result of proper management, and was made possible, in large part by Council’s use of smart development, which maintains the quality of life Teaneck expects.


But, my taxes went up!

I get it – mine went up too.  But the tax bill you receive has a few different parts and not all of them have been going up.
So, let’s break down what is happening.


Breaking down your bill

The tax bill each home receives has a few parts.  Here is an example for the average Teaneck home:

The average residential assessment for 2019 was $384,308.15.

  • Municipal portion: $4,039.08
  • Board of Education Portion: $6,979.04

 

*** Click here to see how the bill breaks down in each category ***:

The tax bill for the average assessment breaks down as follows (approx):

Board of Education 56.8% $6,979.04
Municipal 32.87% $4,039.08
Municipal Open Space .31% $38.43
County 8.48% $1,041.48
County Open Space .31% $38.43
Library 1.22% $149.88

Municipal and BOE Portions

  • The municipal portion of the tax bill is controlled by the Township Council and the Board of Education portion is controlled by the School Board.

Here is what the Township (municipal) and BOE budgets have looked like over the last have decade+:



What could it have been without a Zero-Budget?

Municipalities are constrained to operate within a possible increase of 3.5% over the previous year’s tax levy. (see NJSA 40A:4-45.14 Permissible increase in appropriations)

What would tax rates look like if Teaneck increased them on the municipal side instead of fighting for a zero?

The chart below shows what the budget levy has been for each year in the graph above.  The “Cap Bank” represents what we could have increased the levy by, had we gone to the full 3.5%.
Each of the links goes to the Ordinance that shows the amount in the “cap bank”.

By remaining at a ZERO budget levy increase, the Township Council has kept the municipal portion of your tax bill flatNote: Others portions of your bill may have increased, however.

Year Budget Cap Bank Link
2020 $54,012,908 $2,067,879 11-2020
2019 $53,591,618 $2,022,909 15-2019
2018 $53,004,585 $2,025,023 7-2018
2017 $53,032,800 $1,946,929 9-2017
2016 $53,056,956 $1,972,735 8-2016
2015 $53,302,262 $1,949,474 18-2015
2014 $53,286,843 $1,916,714 24-2014
Totals $13,901,664

The Average Homeowner:

For the Average assessed home in Teaneck, this would have meant an additional $1,047 in municipal taxes per year.

Instead, the Township Council introduced a 6th straight year of ZERO-PERCENT tax levy increases for 2020.


Related: Bonding

In addition to the yearly tax bill, the Township also issues debt for road, building or other capital expenditures.  To see how we have been doing with regards to controlling our debt levels, you can click below and see where we stand, as well as a comparison to other towns around us.

Bonding: How does Teaneck compare?

Mar. 22 Update re: Drive-Up Testing Centers

For Immediate Release:
March 22, 2020

Contact:
Michael Pagan

201.336.6972

 

Tedesco: BCC FEMA Test Site At Capacity for Today and Will Reopen Monday

Paramus, N.J. – Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco has announced that the Bergen Community College FEMA test site for COVID-19 has reached capacity and will reopen tomorrow, Monday, March 23rd, at 8 a.m. to administer more tests to residents with symptoms.

“The FEMA test site at Bergen Community College has reached capacity and will reopen tomorrow, Monday, at 8 a.m. to continue testing residents for COVID-19,” said County Executive Tedesco.  “Bergen County has the most COVID-19 related cases in the state, with five deaths. It is important that we test as many symptomatic residents as possible. We encourage those coming to the FEMA test site to please remain patient as we continue the process of administering tests.”

To be tested for COVID-19, individuals must present proof of New Jersey residency. Technicians will be screening individuals for symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, shortness of breath, coughing) and those who do not exhibit symptoms will be turned away. Physician notes are not required. However, if an individual has a physician’s note they are encouraged to bring it with them.

Bergen County Drive-Up testing site now open

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
Governor Murphy Announces Opening of COVID-19 Testing Site for New Jerseyans at Bergen County Community College
03/19/2020

Testing Site Will Open Daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Beginning on March 20 Open to New

Jersey Residents Experiencing Symptoms of Respiratory Illness
 
TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today announced the opening of a COVID-19 Community-Based Testing Site at Bergen Community College in Paramus. The testing site, established in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will be staffed by the New Jersey Department of Health, the New Jersey State Police, and the New Jersey National Guard. Beginning on Friday, March 20th, the drive-thru testing center will be open seven days per week, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In order to be eligible for testing, individuals must be current New Jersey residents and experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. Priority will be given to symptomatic individuals experiencing cough, fever (99.6F or above) and shortness of breath.
“Expanding access to testing is critical in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and flattening the curve in New Jersey,” said Governor Murphy. “I am grateful to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their swift response in fulfilling our request for specimen collection kits and personal protective equipment so that we can successfully offer expansive drive-thru testing in New Jersey.”
“It is extremely important that only New Jerseys residents with fever or signs or symptoms of respiratory illness visit the testing location,” said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. We must reserve our testing capacity for those who are sick and may exposure others.”
“We are working tirelessly to contain the spread of the coronavirus in New Jersey,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “This testing site will be a tremendous asset to our mission and an invaluable health care resource for New Jersey citizens.
“The testing of residents is a mission the New Jersey National Guard is ready to assist with in the battle against COVID-19,” said Brig. Gen. Jemal J. Beale, the Adjutant General and Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Our Citizen Soldiers and Airmen stand ready to serve where ever the Governor needs us.”

Community-Based Testing Sites are for individuals who are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. Individuals who are not symptomatic will not be tested, as it diverts critical resources such as testing kits and laboratory materials from those who are ill. Each site will be provided with an allocation of 2,500 specimen collection kits and Personal Protective Equipment for all staff. The specimen collections will be transmitted to the contracted laboratory twice per day and results will be reported within 2-5 business days. Testing is free and will be covered by the federal government or personal insurance company. Individuals are encouraged to bring insurance cards if they have one.

Community Based Testing Site Location
Bergen Community College

Paramus Campus – Lots B & C
400 Paramus Road
Paramus, NJ 07652

For more information about Community-Based Testing Sites, visit: nj.gov/health

 

COVID-19 Update Call Tonight — March, 18, 2020 8PM

COVID-19 Update Call (typo correction)

COVID-19 Update Call

Wednesday, March 18, 2020 8 PM

This evening at 8PM, the Township of Teaneck will be hosting a Community Update on the Coronavirus.

Please join Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin, Deputy Mayors Katz and Schwartz, Councilmembers Dunleavy, Romney-Rice, Kaplan, and Pruitt; Township Manager Dean Kazinci; Congressman Josh Gottheimer; Michael Maron, the President and CEO of Holy Name Medical Center; Dr. Suraj Saggar, Chief of Infectious Disease at Holy Name Medical Center; Deborah Cornavaca, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Murphy; Teaneck Health Officer Ken Katter; Teaneck School Superintendent Dr. Christopher Irving; Police Chief Glenn O’Reilly; and, Fire Chief Jordan Zaretsky to discuss the latest status of the virus, preventative measures, and important contact information that will help to answer all of your questions and concerns.

To participate by telephone, please call 1-425-535-9303 at 8:00 PM. You will automatically be connected to the conference call. A recording of the conference call will be made available on the Township’s website (www.teanecknj.gov) Thursday morning.

Thank you.

ADVISORY-SUNDAY MORNING: Teaneck Mayor Hameeduddin and Teaneck Manager Kazinci to Discuss Recent COVID-19 Developments

For Immediate Release:
March 14, 2020

Contact:
Michael Pagan
201.336.6972

NEWS ADVISORY – HACKENSACK – SUNDAY MORNING

Teaneck Mayor Hameeduddin and Teaneck Manager Kazinci to Discuss Recent COVID-19 Developments

Teaneck Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin and Teaneck Manager Dean Kazinci will hold a news conference SUNDAY MORNING – March 15th – at 10 a.m. in the 5TH floor Freeholder Public Meeting Room at One Bergen County Plaza in Hackensack, N.J. to discuss recent developments in connection with COVID-19 and the Township of Teaneck.

Also joining them will be Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer and Holy Name Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Adam Jarrett.

Mar 14, 2020 Statement from Deputy Mayor Mark J. Schwartz regarding COVID-19

As many of you have seen and heard, our Mayor has requested all residents to self-quarantine.
Ahead of a formal announcement tomorrow, and as social media, phone, text and WhatsApps are “ringing” off the hook, I wanted to put my thoughts together to define the word “Self- quarantine”. Please keep in mind at this time this is NOT a mandate but a voluntary step.
As the number of COVID-19 patients being treated at Holy Name Medical Center has risen, we are asking that the members of our Teaneck community begin to self-quarantine to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Slowing the spread of the coronavirus is our community’s only hope to avoid overwhelming our medical system. While hand-washing and sanitizing is helpful, this disease is communicated person-to-person, and the less social interactions we have, the slower it will be able to spread.
Our highest chances of slowing the spread of this virus is when the infection rate in our general population is still low. If we wait for our infection rates in Teaneck to rise before taking these preventative measures, they will not be effective.
We need to take proactive steps at social distancing because that is known to flatten the curve.
We can’t possibly know every place everyone has been with any degree of certainly.
Let’s put our collective energies into doing what we can to help the greatest number of people.
To that end, some practices of self-quarantine include:
  • When you do have to go out in the community for groceries or medicine, only one member of the household should go, and he/she should practice Social Distancing, and maintain a 6-foot distance from all other individuals.
  • Reduce and eliminate unnecessary trips.
  • Make required travel done by a single person.
  • We will be asking our food establishments to be takeout and delivery only
  • Movie theaters and gyms will be closed.
  • Many house of worship, under request from their religious leaders, have closed
  • Many employees are working from home. Please ask your employer if you can.
Today the New York Times quoted Dr. Carter Mecher, a senior medical adviser for public health at the Department of Veterans Affairs and a former director of medical preparedness policy at the White House during the Obama and Bush administrations. We think his metaphor is helpful in understanding our situation. “A fire on your stove you could put out with a fire extinguisher, but if your kitchen is ablaze, that fire extinguisher probably won’t work. Communities that pull the fire extinguisher early are much more effective.”
As a reminder, the CDC’s tips for preventing the spread of infections include:
· Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap or clean them with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
· Stay home if you feel sick.
· Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash; if tissue is not available then cough/sneeze into your bent elbow.
· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Please monitor your own health and be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
· Fever
· Cough
· Shortness of breath
If you think you may have COVID-19, first contact your doctor before going to the hospital.
According to the CDC, if you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 you should get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include, but are not limited to:
· Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
· Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
· New confusion or inability to arouse
· Bluish lips or face
Please stay tuned for more formal information from the township tomorrow.