Jersey City Municipal Council Meeting – June 25, 2026

The Jersey City Municipal Council held a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 6:05 p.m. All nine council members were present, achieving a quorum. The meeting included ceremonial resolutions for Black Music Month, the introduction and adoption of multiple ordinances, a lengthy public hearing on the budget and tax increase, and votes on numerous resolutions. The council deferred a vote on the estimated third-quarter tax levy to a special meeting on July 1, 2026, following public outcry.

Ceremonial Resolutions

• Resolution 26-364 – Honoring Osean Shiin, crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2025. Passed 8-0 (Councilperson Zupa absent).
• Resolution 26-365 – Honoring Team Jersey City Scholars for academic and engineering achievements. Passed 9-0.
• Resolution 26-367 – Honoring Daria Jones for contributions to music and community during Black Music Month. Passed 9-0.
• Resolution 26-396 – Honoring Hiram Wernard Harper for jazz and community enrichment. Passed 9-0.
• Resolution 26-368 – Honoring PM Dawn for groundbreaking music legacy. Passed 9-0.
• Resolution 26-369 – Honoring Renee Walker for contributions to music, theater, and education. Passed 8-0 (Councilperson Singh absent for vote).
• Resolution 26-370 – Honoring Charlene Toddy Cox Sharif for music journalism and preservation. Passed 9-0.
• Resolution 26-423 – Late item honoring Brother Basil for Black Music Month contributions. Added by 8-0 vote and adopted 9-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Budget and Tax Increase – Over a dozen residents spoke against the proposed 20% property tax increase. Many demanded greater transparency, spending cuts, and accountability for the prior administration’s $255 million deficit. Speakers urged the council to explore all alternatives before raising taxes. Several residents expressed fear of displacement and financial hardship.
• Child Care Resolution – Multiple speakers supported Resolution 26-421, recognizing child care as essential infrastructure and calling for state-level expansion of the child care assistance program. They shared personal stories of struggling to afford care.
• Animal Breeding Ban – Advocates spoke in favor of Ordinance 26-038 banning the sale and breeding of dogs, cats, and rabbits. They highlighted the suffering caused by backyard breeders and the strain on rescue organizations. One speaker noted the city could generate revenue by enforcing fines.
• Redistricting – Several residents supported Ordinance 26-044 establishing transparency standards for ward redistricting. They criticized the 2021 gerrymandering and urged the council to prioritize communities of interest.
• Enforcement and Housing – Residents from Portside Towers and other buildings complained about lack of emergency contacts, fire safety, and unenforced landlord laws. They called for stronger code enforcement and collection of fines.
• Youth Liaison Council – Many students and young residents spoke in favor of Ordinance 26-042 creating a Youth Liaison Council, emphasizing the need for youth voices in city government.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 26-033 (Cap Bank) – The council debated an ordinance to exceed the 2% budget appropriation cap by up to 3.5% (an increase of $20.8 million) to pay off $109 million in unpaid bills from the prior administration. The mayor explained the cap increase is necessary to cover legacy debts and that the operating budget is actually being cut by at least $16 million. After public testimony, the ordinance passed 9-0.
• Ordinance 26-038 (Animal Breeding Ban) – The council heard passionate testimony and unanimously adopted the ordinance banning the sale and breeding of dogs, cats, and rabbits, with supporters hailing it as a victory for animal welfare.
• Ordinance 26-042 (Youth Liaison Council) – After a public hearing with numerous youth speakers, the council unanimously adopted the ordinance establishing Chapter 346, creating a Jersey City Youth Liaison Council. Council members praised the initiative for giving young people a formal voice.
• Ordinance 26-044 (Redistricting Standards) – The council unanimously adopted an ordinance setting local standards for ward redistricting, including requirements for compactness, communities of interest, and public hearings. Council members acknowledged past gerrymandering and called the ordinance a step toward fairness.
• Ordinance 26-041 (Capital Improvements) – The council approved $9.6 million in capital spending for infrastructure including asphalt resurfacing, HVAC replacements, and IT upgrades. Councilmembers Zupa and Lavaro voted no, citing lack of clarity on capital fund balances and concerns over grant matching obligations.
• Emergency Temporary Appropriation (Resolution 10.51) – The council approved an ETA covering July through September, with Councilmember Lavaro voting no due to insufficient information. The ETA was necessary to keep the city operating until the full budget is adopted in August.
• Public Comment on Budget – The mayor announced a series of town halls beginning Sunday, June 28 at 7 p.m. at City Hall Annex, and four more in July. He reiterated that the $255 million deficit was inherited from the prior administration and that all options are on the table.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Third-Quarter Tax Levy Postponed – The council deferred voting on the estimated 20% tax increase resolution to a special meeting on July 1, 2026, after hearing strong public opposition.
• Ordinance 26-033 (Cap Bank) Adopted 9-0 – Authorizes exceeding the 2% spending cap to pay $109 million in prior-year bills.
• Ordinance 26-038 (Animal Breeding Ban) Adopted 9-0 – Bans sale and breeding of dogs, cats, and rabbits.
• Ordinance 26-042 (Youth Liaison Council) Adopted 9-0 – Creates a formal youth advisory body.
• Ordinance 26-044 (Redistricting Standards) Adopted 9-0 – Sets transparency and fairness rules for future ward map drawing.
• Ordinance 26-041 (Capital Improvements) Adopted 7-2 – $9.6 million for infrastructure; Zupa and Lavaro dissenting.
• Emergency Temporary Appropriation Adopted 8-1 – Lavaro voted no; sustains city operations through September.
• Other Ordinances Adopted Unanimously – Included adjustments to municipal court judge stipends (26-035), women’s advisory board (26-036), extended alcohol/cannabis hours for FIFA World Cup (26-037 and 26-047), and renewal of community garden lease (26-048).
• Resolutions Approved – Numerous resolutions passed, including support for state child care expansion (10.59) and a call for a state comptroller investigation into the prior administration’s finances (10.9).
• Next Steps – Budget hearings scheduled July 13-24; final adoption in August. Town halls hosted by the mayor starting June 28.