I hope that this update finds you adjusting to our current environment as we all try to work together to get through these difficult times. At the local level, we continue to be proactive but the challenges are significant as Jersey City now has 4,442 confirmed cases and we have tragically lost 260 members of our community.

I’ve divided the update this week into sections so that it is easier for you to identify the topics that are most important to you.

Our approach is always very deliberate and careful in how we make decisions with feedback from lots of industry experts and professionals.

Budget and Taxes

We have been focused on doing the best we can to manage the budget gap that has been created by COVID-19. In Jersey City, we anticipate the gap to be close to a $70m hole within a $600m budget. As you can see, the challenge is large, but I’m committed to exploring all options for minimizing the hardship on residents. While I don’t control the State, County, or School budgets, I can share that on the City side we have started to take aggressive steps to limit tax increases.

The City of Jersey City has put together a framework on layoffs & furloughs as last resorts. We have frozen spending. We have cut programs. We have offered buyouts for existing employees. This week, we moved to cancel the Open Space Trust Fund Tax, as well as the Arts Trust Fund Tax, and we cancelled our 4th of July Festival to direct those funds towards local relief.

I’m not happy about any of these choices, but the reality is that we have to make decisions to protect our residents during these times. I believe if we continue to be proactive, we can minimize the budget gap and get through this with as little damage as possible to our city.

Parking Regulations

Next week, we will restore street sweeping and parking enforcement on our main streets.

I know this creates an inconvenience for many, but the reality is that we are in a pandemic – one that requires more cleanliness of our environment. The current predicament of our streets is just not acceptable from a health or quality of life standpoint.

The following week, all street sweeping regulations will be restored as we know when the weather gets warmer, the streets get dirtier. We must do all we can to keep our City clean.

Parks & Open Space

Next week, we will begin to gradually re-open some of the larger parks in the City while ensuring social distancing is practiced.

While we will continue to restrict playgrounds, basketball courts, and more, we know that space for walking and open air is important to sanity. We have to be realistic that residents in a densely populated city won’t stay in their homes indefinitely especially as the weather becomes nicer nor is it healthy to ask this of them. As a result, we want to work with the community and we will provide adequate personnel at parks to ensure social distancing is practiced. We will have more information on this over the next few days.

Libraries

Over the past month, our library workers have amazingly adapted and are now focused more than ever on employment tools, providing hotspot internet access to residents that need it, and distance education programs.

The library has launched three new services aimed at providing residents with the help they need to build skills and find jobs.

If you have ever wondered the role of libraries in the 21st century, hopefully, this helps explain how important they are to the fabric of a community.

Jersey City Relief Fund

As mentioned in previous updates, we have started a local relief fund. The structure and goals are currently being put in place by a committee that includes two City Council members, two Appointees of the Administration, and two members of the EDC. We are looking to complement and enhance the existing Federal and State programs for our residents and as the programs get released, you can find more information at the Jersey City EDC.

I know these times are not easy for anyone, but it only has reaffirmed how fortunate we are to be part of such an amazing city with so many selfless community members who have offered to volunteer or donate.

I’m certain that our city will emerge from these tough times even stronger and better than it was before. Stay Safe!