Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Clifton public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
15 issues in taxes budget
Disabled veteran property tax refunds
The city canceled and refunded half of a disabled veteran's first- and second-quarter 2026 property taxes — $1,766.35 total — after approving his 50% exemption.
Health Insurance Broker Switch Under Fire
Kolodziej voted against keeping Marsh McLennan, claiming the advertised $1.1 million savings are built on inflated stop-loss numbers while health benefit costs rose $5.5 million. The majority and the city manager defended the contract, touting $2.4 million in new prescription self-funding savings.
Fire Department Overtime Overrun
The council expanded the Fire Department table of organization hoping seven new hires will cut overtime that's running $1.1 million against a $750K budget. Kolodziej wants alternatives like rolling closures and consolidation.
Senior programs funding gap (Seniors We Care / Power of One)
The Seniors We Care program coordinator says she's gone nine months without pay despite council support, and asked for the purchase order to be released and a clear timeline. Council members demanded answers from administration.
Solid waste contract and trash rules
Clifton is designing the bid for its next garbage contract, expected to cost significantly more than the current $11 million annual deal. Carts could reduce rodents and odors, but residents raised concerns about seniors, large families, storage, and cost. No final decisions were made.
Charter study ballot question
A resident argued the council's 2025 rejection of a charter study question blocked residents from deciding Clifton's form of government, and said the current structure dates back nearly a century. He urged candidates to support putting the question to voters.
City manager search process
The council is interviewing three search firms to find the next city manager, but a motion to schedule the interviews failed 3-3 over transparency and process objections.
Grants program and historic City Hall preservation
Triad Associates has stabilized 60 active grants worth $47 million, recovered nearly $580,000 in drawdowns, and proposed a $2,000-$2,500 baseline assessment to pursue state historic trust funding for the City Hall complex and barns.
PILOT Agreements and Revenue Sharing
Kolodziej noted 10 of Clifton's 13 PILOTs now share revenue based on gross revenue; Latona celebrated the first revenue-sharing PILOT and wants community-service requirements in future deals. A council candidate pitched expanding the commercial tax base to ease homeowner burdens.
CDBG PY2026 Action Plan and budget amendments
Three public hearings covered the city's federal community development plan and budget transfers; no residents spoke, and the plan and amendments were adopted by resolution.
$4.8 Million Bond Ordinance for Capital Improvements
A preview bond list allocates $2 million to parks and recreation with nothing for roads; Sadrakula wants Allwood Place sidewalks and Gregory Manor Park added, and a final bond committee meeting will happen before introduction.
2026 Independence Day carnival and fireworks funding controversy
A three-day July 4th carnival and fireworks was organized without full council votes, and members demanded to know where police, DPW, and fireworks costs will come from. Last year's event netted only about $16,000.
Affordable housing litigation costs
The council added $10,000 to its legal budget for the firm handling the city's affordable housing fight, doubling the contract to $30,000.
Advisory committee budget requests
The clerk surveyed all city boards and committees; the Traffic Safety Committee asked for just $250 a year. The city manager said any funding would wait until September when surplus is known; some members prefer one-time seed money.
PILOT programs and hotel/On3 revenue sharing
Council candidate Assad Mujtaba warned PILOTs delay revenue for decades; Kolodziej countered they do not. A proposed PILOT with revenue sharing for the hotel and On3 campus was discussed in closed session.