What Do Ridgewood’s Official Budget Records Reveal About Evan Weitz’s Campaign Claims?

Fact Checking the Fiscal Claims in the Ridgewood Council Race

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, As voters prepare for the upcoming local election, campaign promises and political advertisements are dominating the debate in Ridgewood. Analyzing official municipal records, public council minutes, and financial statements provides essential context for verifying key fiscal claims made by candidates.

A closer look at the public record reveals how campaign statements regarding taxes, credit ratings, state grants, and municipal surplus compare to official Village documentation.

Claim #1 & #2: Were Municipal Taxes Kept “Flat” and “Below Inflation”?

Campaign materials claim that municipal taxes were kept below the rate of inflation and remained “essentially flat” over the last four years. However, official Village budget presentations report the following annual municipal tax levy increases:

• 2023: +4.67%

• 2024: +2.77%

• 2025: +3.14%

• 2026: +3.98%

When compounded over a four-year period, these four annual increases represent a cumulative rise of approximately 15.4% in the municipal tax levy.

While municipal leaders must balance rising operational costs and inflation, a 15.4% cumulative increase over four years raises questions about describing tax trends as “flat.”

Claim #3: Credit for Maintaining Ridgewood’s AAA Bond Rating

Maintaining an AAA bond rating is a major financial milestone that reflects strong municipal stewardship. While Ridgewood currently holds an AAA rating, public records show that the Village maintained this top-tier rating prior to Evan Weitz taking office on January 1, 2023.

Official Council minutes confirm that Weitz was elected in November 2022 for a term running from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2026. While the Village successfully preserved its AAA rating during his term, the rating itself predates his tenure, making it a longstanding community achievement rather than the result of a single councilmember’s leadership.

Claim #4: Did the Village Receive Over $5 Million in State Grants?

Securing state and federal grant funding is critical for reducing the burden on local taxpayers. However, public records highlight a key distinction between awarded grants and pending grant applications.

During a January 22, 2025 budget meeting, official minutes note that while the Fire Department received roughly $450,000 in grants over two years, the Village Manager reported approximately $5 million in pending grant applications. Without specific documentation itemizing which awarded grants comprise the $5 million figure, voters cannot independently verify the exact total received versus amounts still under review.

Claim #5: Increases in Municipal Surplus Funds

Municipal surplus funds fluctuate yearly based on revenue generation, budget allocations, and unexpected expenses. Evaluating surplus claims requires specific start and end baseline dates.

To accurately gauge municipal surplus growth during any official’s term, residents must compare:

1. The official surplus balance at the start of the term (January 2023).

2. The audited surplus balance in the most recent financial statement.

3. The specific definition of surplus applied in campaign materials.

Understanding Governance: Individual Credit vs. Collective Action

In a council-manager form of government, municipal financial policy is a collective effort. The Village Council operates as a five-member legislative body where no individual member exercises unilateral budget authority.

At the January 2023 reorganization meeting, council members emphasized this structure, describing the Council as a “body of one” with five equal votes working Alongside the Village CFO, Village Manager, and department heads. Attributing broad municipal outcomes solely to one individual obscures the collaborative nature of local governance.

Verify the Public Records Yourself

Voters do not need to rely on campaign mailers or political debate to evaluate local financial claims. Ridgewood’s official financial records, annual budgets, and meeting minutes are fully public and accessible online:

• Official Financial Archives: Access budget presentations, annual audits, and financial statements on the official Village of Ridgewood website.

• Meeting Minutes: Review official Council reorganization minutes and meeting transcripts to trace municipal votes and policy decisions.

 

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