The Mayor and Council of River Edge are proactively addressing significant fiscal challenges facing municipalities across New Jersey in 2026.These pressures include a 36.5% increase in the cost of state health benefits to municipalities.  This is in addition to reductions in aid from the state and federal legislatures.  Thus, every NJ municipality has had to become more creative to find plausible fiscal reductions that cause the least impact on services.

Towards this end, the Mayor and Council of River Edge are considering removing a vacant administrative position of captain from the current table of organization. This position has not been filled, and its removal will not affect patrol staffing or day to day operations. The removal of the Captain’s position from the table of organization will have a minimal effect on the police department as patrol officers are not being reduced. Public safety is not in jeopardy. No employee is being fired, furloughed or laid off.  The 36.5% has an impact of an approximate $530,000 increase to next year's budget, which is the equivalent of 2 tax points on the public.  Our current estimate is that if we do absolutely nothing, we will begin where we normally end our budgetary considerations.  Thus, the possibility of a 5% to 10% tax increase to the public looms if we do not make difficult decisions which is our fiscal responsibility as  elected officials.

It is important to understand that the Captain position, added to the table of organization in 2021, was temporary in nature for one individual who retired this year, as evidenced through a Sidebar agreement that was entered into with an understanding that it is without precedent also signed with the PBA and the Borough. The promotional process for Captain was not added to Chapter 71 of the Borough Code.  It is also important to note that during our March public budget meeting, and subsequently in a July meeting, the governing body discussed not to move forward with any promotions in any department in anticipation of fiscal uncertainty. These decisions reflect our ongoing commitment to careful planning and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

As the governing body, we are responsible for looking at the totality of the budget, not one department alone. These and other factors outside the control of the municipality require us to consider how we might reduce the impact to the taxpayer without reducing tangible services or compromising public safety.  Removing the vacant captain’s position is one way in which we can recoup some of the funds that are being allocated towards the health insurance increase, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are allocated responsibly. We cannot tax our way to funding a vacant position within the Police Department. Our goal is to reduce the impact on taxpayers while preserving tangible services and this measure reflects the municipality’s commitment to fiscal prudence, transparency, and maintaining essential services for residents.

Public safety remains our top priority, and this decision ensures that River Edge stays both safe and financially responsible.