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Jersey City Council Approves 15.15% Property Tax Hike to Address $255 Million Deficit

Jersey City Council Approves 15.15% Property Tax Hike to Address $255 Million Deficit

The Jersey City City Council has approved an $886 million municipal budget for 2026, which includes a 15.15% increase in the city's property tax rate. This decision was made to close a substantial $255 million deficit. Alongside the tax increase, the budget incorporates $58 million in spending cuts across various city departments. The approval follows months of negotiations with the state of New Jersey, which initially pushed for a 20% tax hike. The city also secured a $120 million state aid package, comprising a $105 million loan and a $15 million grant. This aid package grants the Department of Community Affairs oversight of Jersey City's spending and the authority to set the tax rate if they deem it necessary. An average home assessed at $480,000 is projected to see municipal taxes rise from $11,203 in 2025 to $12,813 in 2026. This municipal tax increase comes in addition to separate increases from the Jersey City Board of Education (14%) and Hudson County (14%).
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Charlotte Data Center Task Force Members Demand Transparency and City Leader Assistance

Charlotte Data Center Task Force Members Demand Transparency and City Leader Assistance

Members of Charlotte's data center task force are expressing significant concerns regarding the lack of information and assistance from the city and elected leaders. Christopher John Scalise, representing District 5 on the task force, stated that they are not receiving the necessary data to make informed decisions or create effective plans for future data center projects. Scalise highlighted the difficulty in obtaining solid data to properly address community concerns and formulate policy recommendations. The task force, comprising nearly two dozen individuals, is responsible for conducting community engagement sessions to gather feedback on data centers and understand residents' preferences. However, members like Scalise feel they are not being provided with adequate information on how data centers impact communities. With a 150-day moratorium on new data centers nearing its end, there is growing apprehension that the task force will not have sufficient time to develop and present their proposed plans and...
The Columbus Dispatch The Columbus Dispatch
Columbus taps debt fund, windfall to close $18M budget gap as safety OT soars

Columbus taps debt fund, windfall to close $18M budget gap as safety OT soars

Hardin continues to condemn Ginther's handling of Columbus finances after city uses a debt service fund and a windfall to erase an $18M deficit.
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La Mesa Mayoral Race Heats Up with Two Councilmembers Vying for Open Seat

La Mesa Mayoral Race Heats Up with Two Councilmembers Vying for Open Seat

La Mesa, California, is preparing for a significant mayoral election this November as current Mayor Mark Arapostathis is termed out. The race features four candidates, with two prominent figures being Councilmember Patricia Dillard and Councilmember Laura Lothian. Dillard, a 25-year resident of La Mesa and a mortgage broker, has served on the City Council for four years and is the vice chair of the city’s Community Police Oversight Board. Her campaign focuses on ensuring economic opportunities and high-quality education for all La Mesans. Lothian, a real estate agent who has also served on the City Council for over four years, is known for spearheading the hiring of a community cleanup coordinator and advocating against a battery storage facility in a residential area. Her platform includes simplifying the city's permitting process, protecting small businesses, and addressing graffiti and litter. The other two candidates are Jim Stieringer, a retired businessman and former city treasurer, and Quinn Reese, ...
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Manteca City Council Proposes Stricter Zoning Regulations for New Gas Stations

Manteca City Council Proposes Stricter Zoning Regulations for New Gas Stations

The Manteca City Council is considering new zoning changes that would significantly restrict the placement and development of new gas stations within the city. These proposed rules include an outright ban on new gas stations in neighborhood commercial and manufacturing commercial zones. Additionally, the council will review an emergency 45-day moratorium on accepting new gas station applications to allow time for these new regulations to be implemented. Under the new proposals, gas stations would only be permitted in general commercial and mixed-use commercial zones, requiring a more rigorous conditional use permit process. Current regulations allow a majority of existing fueling stations in Manteca to be located less than 300 feet from residential areas. The proposed changes aim to increase the distance between gas stations and residential properties, requiring a minimum of 300 feet from residential property lines and 500 feet between fueling stations, with exceptions for two stations at the same intersec...
Nashville Tennessean Nashville Tennessean
Mississippi mayor pushes back on lowering flags to honor Dolly Parton

Mississippi mayor pushes back on lowering flags to honor Dolly Parton

Mississippi mayor Ken Adams pushed back at lowering flags to honor Dolly Parton, saying the move may "lessen the meaning of the gesture."
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Potsdam Village Establishes Public Donation Account for Fall Island Skatepark Project

Potsdam Village Establishes Public Donation Account for Fall Island Skatepark Project

The Village of Potsdam has approved a resolution to create a public donation account for the Fall Island skatepark project. This initiative allows individuals to contribute financially to the development and construction of the facility, with donations payable to the village treasurer and deposited into a dedicated fund. The resolution also authorizes village representatives to solicit donations, though it prohibits contributions from anyone with pending procurement or regulatory matters. Mayor Alexandra Jacobs-Wilke noted that while the village has accepted donations for past projects, this is their first time actively soliciting funds for a capital project in this manner. Planning Director David Thurlow confirmed that the legal process for establishing the fund was thoroughly vetted. The skatepark project is partially funded by the village's 2019 Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) award. Initially removed from the approved DRI list, the skatepark was later reincorporated into the broader Riverwalk ...
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Wall Township, NJ, Launches New Mobile App to Centralize Community Services and Information

Wall Township, NJ, Launches New Mobile App to Centralize Community Services and Information

Wall Township, New Jersey, has officially launched a new mobile application, the Wall Township NJ mobile app, designed to consolidate various township services and information into a single, accessible platform. Mayor Erin Mangan initiated the idea, collaborating with the Wall Township Youth Advisory Council to gather input on features most beneficial to the community. The app aims to make township news, alerts, meeting schedules, events, online forms, payment options, and trash and recycling information readily available to residents of all ages. This development is a direct result of efforts to enhance communication and accessibility for the township's population.
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Oak Bluffs Seeks Quadrupled Embarkation Fee and Inflation Adjustments from Massachusetts Legislature

Oak Bluffs Seeks Quadrupled Embarkation Fee and Inflation Adjustments from Massachusetts Legislature

The town of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, is advocating for a significant increase in the Steamship Authority’s embarkation fee, proposing a hike from the current $0.50 to $2.00 per one-way trip. This request was formalized in a letter sent by the select board to state Senator Julian Cyr and state Representative Thomas Moakley. The town also seeks annual adjustments to this fee, tied to the Consumer Price Index, to ensure it keeps pace with inflation. Furthermore, Oak Bluffs is asking the state to allow them to collect fees from boats that are scheduled to dock in Oak Bluffs but are diverted to Vineyard Haven due to inclement weather. The embarkation fee, which has remained unchanged since 2004, helps fund essential services related to ferry use, such as dredging, harbor maintenance, and traffic control in Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. The Massachusetts Legislature established the fee and must approve any changes.
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Maglut Heavy Industries Launches in Long Beach to Rebuild U.S. Rare Earth Processing Capacity

Maglut Heavy Industries Launches in Long Beach to Rebuild U.S. Rare Earth Processing Capacity

Maglut Heavy Industries Launches in Long Beach to Rebuild U.S. Rare Earth Processing Capacity
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High Springs City Manager Jeremy Marshall Terminated, Settlement Reached for $15K

High Springs City Manager Jeremy Marshall Terminated, Settlement Reached for $15K

High Springs City Manager Jeremy Marshall has been officially terminated, with the City Commission approving a settlement that severs his employment. Marshall will receive approximately $15,000, covering accrued leave and unused paid time off. The settlement also includes a mutual release, preventing either party from suing the other. Marshall was placed on leave in July due to alleged financial mismanagement and inexperience. The reasons for termination cited by the commission include failure to supervise city departments, inform the commission of administrative activities and financial conditions, and maximize city revenues. Jennifer Applebee, the Parks and Recreation Director, is serving as interim city manager, with her salary adjusted to $97,000 for the interim period.
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Roswell City Council Approves Trail Lighting and Arts Improvements Funding

Roswell City Council Approves Trail Lighting and Arts Improvements Funding

The Roswell City Council has approved two contracts totaling nearly $343,000 for new lighting along the Smith Plantation Trail. This project involves replacing failing electrical infrastructure and installing 52 LED lamp posts, while also preserving selected historic fixtures. Additionally, the Council authorized an application for up to $45,000 to support an expansion of the Art Center West ceramics studio. The city also accepted a $48,000 donation from the Roswell Arts Festival, which will be allocated for improvements at Liberty Square Park, East Roswell Dog Park, and the Crabapple Center Performing Arts Studio. The state ceramics grant application is not a guaranteed award at this stage.