This Wednesday, March 4th at 7:30 p.m., I will host a Budget Town Hall along with Finance Committee Chair Councilman Christoph Hesterbrink and our Borough Administrator, Marisa Mesropian.
We will meet at the new Municipal Center, 229 Fort Lee Road (adjacent to the library), on the second floor.
If you cannot attend in person, you may participate virtually using this link: meet.google.com/ics-qrkh-dtw. A recording will also be available within 24 hours so you can watch at your convenience.
The purpose of this Town Hall is to provide a clear and transparent overview of what we anticipate for this year’s municipal budget and what it represents in terms of your taxes. As I’ve shared in recent updates, only about 30% of your total property tax bill funds municipal operations — including Police, Fire, DPW, Recreation, the Library, and the Senior Center. The remainder goes to the school district and county.
We will walk through the financial pressures we are facing—including substantial increases in health insurance, utilities, pension costs, tipping fees, and other expenses outside our control — and the steps we have taken since August to manage those realities responsibly. This includes service adjustments, efficiency measures, and operating with staffing levels below what would otherwise be ideal in certain departments, all to protect taxpayers while maintaining core services.
Our goal is simple: deliver value for every dollar, preserve quality of life, and maintain long-term financial stability.
After presenting the budget framework and context, we will open the floor for your input and comments. After all, that is the true purpose of a Town Hall. Informed participation is always welcome and encouraged.
I hope to see many of you there. And if you cannot attend, I encourage you to take the time to watch the recording and stay engaged.
Bill Ziegler
Mayor
Borough of Leonia
