City Council

Borough Council Year-End Review December 11, 2023 1 Year-End Review: Progress in Achieving Goals Goal 1: Fiscal Strength Goal 2: Infrastructure & Services Goal 3: Community Stewardship & Development Goal 4: Openness, Responsiveness & Engagement 2 Fiscal Strength ✓ Unanimous adoption of fiscally responsible 2023 budget ✓ 3rd straight year of municipal tax rate decreases ✓ Healthy fund balance and cash reserves ✓ Successful audit of 2022 finances ✓ Significant federal, state and county grants providing taxpayer relief: ➢ $288,000 American Rescue Plan funds towards Fire Department vehicle purchase ➢ $234,500 NJ DOT grant for Powerville Road paving ➢ $125,000 NJ DOT grant for Morris Avenue paving ➢ $70,000 NJ State Local Recreation Improvement Award for Boulevard Trolley Path ➢ $30,500 Morris County and $7,600 NJ Historic Trust grant for Station property renovation ➢ $21,000 American Rescue Plan Firefighters Assistance Equipment grant ➢ $15,000 Highlands Plan Conformance grant ➢ $4,000 NJ Clean Fleet grant towards Police SRO vehicle purchase ➢ $2,200 NJ State Lead Grant Assistance grant ✓ Settlement of multi-year Police & Public Works union contracts ✓ Finance policy and best practices review, including revised Reserve for Uncollected Taxes policy and in-depth review of debt and debt management ✓ Multi-year effort to settle long-standing tax appeals to protect Borough finances substantively complete 3 Infrastructure & Services ✓ Tennis Court re-build project completed ✓ Significant investment in Police & Fire vehicles, equipment, and facilities ✓ 2023 co-op road paving projects & Morris Avenue (Powerville to Fanny) ✓ Historic gate lighting repaired ✓ Sunset Dam Project construction underway ✓ Addition of new quarterly curbside Bulk Trash collection services ✓ Elimination of Green Bag program ✓ Increased support for ML Public Library, including Makerspace program ✓ Robust recreation programs making use of improved beach facilities ✓ Support for traditional and new community events, including Holiday Celebrations, Art Fair, and PBA Block Party • Borough Hall & Public Safety Facilities nearing completion • Water Meter Replacement project 90% complete • Review of efficiency, safety and other improvements to Recycling Center, including operating hours expansion – to continue in 2024 4 Community Stewardship & Development ✓ Bathymetry Study completed to guide long-term planning for the health of our lakes ✓ Initial Phase of the Station property historic renovation completed – Construction Documents project phase is underway ✓ Veterans Housing project a welcome addition to our community that supports implementation of the Borough’s Affordable Housing Plan ✓ Wawa grand opening – a new business serving residents and new commercial ratable ✓ Commercial Landscaping Hours ordinance adopted in response to community concerns ✓ Resolution to proceed with Highlands Regional Master Plan conformance to take advantage of grant funding and protect our environment – continued review will be on-going in 2024 • Review of land use ordinances for consistency, clarity and efficiency is in process – expected completion in 2024 5 Openness, Responsiveness & Engagement ✓ Outreach to Federal, State & County levels of government on issues of importance, including securing grants to support Borough priorities and provide taxpayer relief ✓ Collaboration with Mountain Lakes School District on tennis court re-build project ✓ Borough-wide resident survey regarding Commercial Landscaping Hours ✓ More than 150 residents serving as Borough volunteers, including over 40 young people serving as Junior Volunteer Firefighters and Student Committee Members ✓ Transparent budget process and quarterly review of financials – all information shared with the public and reviewed at public meetings 6 Thank You! It’s been a busy year in the Borough with significant work accomplished in a challenging environment… THANK YOU to our Borough employees, professionals and dedicated volunteers for your contributions to our community. 7