Full Notification

Important Community Update on – Affordable Housing & School Budget Funding
Ho-Ho-Kus is currently navigating some significant matters that will shape the future of our community. Our state-mandated affordable housing obligations and the school budget special election. With a recent rise of public awareness on these complex issues our priority is to ensure every resident has access to clear, accurate information on the role of the Mayor and Council in each of these issues.

1. Affordable Housing Obligation & Pending Litigation
The Borough is introducing three Ordinances to address two lawsuits filed against its Fourth Round Affordable Housing Plan ahead of a March 15 deadline and maintain immunity protections for the next decade against additional lawsuits. Failure to adopt these Ordinances by the deadline will result in Builders Remedy lawsuits that would bypass any local existing zoning regulations and controls by going directly to the courts to seek relief resulting in high density developments granted throughout the borough.

The Mayor and Council will be holding a formal public hearing on this matter at their meeting on February 24 at 7:00 PM.

Additionally, the Planning Board will review the Borough’s Affordable Housing Plan Amendments as they relate to the Master Plan at its meeting on February 19 at 7:00 PM. 2. Special Election – School Budget Vote (March 10)
A Special Election for the School Budget will be held on March 10 (polls open 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM).
The Mayor and Council and the Board of Education are separate, independently elected governing bodies — each responsible for preparing and adopting its own budget — the Mayor and Council do not set, reduce, approve, or determine school funding in any way. Each year the school is funded at 100% of their adopted budget by the tax payers from the collection of Property Taxes.  The tax payers are the only one with the power to increase the schools share of the overall tax levy. The Special Election that is being held on March 10 is the voters opportunity to decide exactly how much the school receives. Any outside interference by the Mayor and Council would deny the Tax Payers their legal right to decide.
  Community Information Sessions / Q&A
We recognize that residents may still have questions about the roles and responsibilities of the governing body, and we want to ensure those questions are answered clearly and accurately.To help residents better understand these two critically important matters, the Mayor and Council has requested the Borough Administrator to host informal presentations and question-and-answer sessions at the Borough Hall on:

• February 17 – 7:00 PM
• February 18 – 7:00 PM
• February 23 – 7:00 PM

Daytime appointment sessions will also be available with Borough Administrator Bill Jones:

• February 17–19 and February 23
• 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  (Additional times TBD if needed)

To schedule an in-person or phone appointment, please contact:
Julie Tyler
📧 [email protected]
📞 201-652-4400 ext. 233
 
We thank you for your time and consideration. 
The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus