SKYLER D. COHEN

FOR MAYOR OF CRESSKILL

Better Spending. Better Schools. Better Cresskill.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: SMARTER SPENDING

"My core principle: Fix problems directly, don't pay consultants for advice we can generate ourselves. Every tax dollar must deliver maximum value to Cresskill residents."

I'm committed to fiscal discipline. We must ensure that every tax dollar is spent wisely and explore every opportunity to save money or generate new revenue.

Responsible budgeting isn't just about cutting; it's about being smarter. With my software engineering and business management background, I'll bring an analytical approach to town finances, identifying opportunities for efficiency while maintaining essential services.

Fiscal management

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS

  • Boost Investment Income
    Direct our finance team to implement a more active cash management strategy.
    Why it matters: Our anticipated interest income ($90k) is dramatically lower than nearby Tenafly's ($744k), even adjusting for size. We're leaving money on the table that could offset taxes. We'll aim to earn more on our reserves through safe, authorized investments.
  • Review All Fees
    Initiate a top-to-bottom review of municipal fees (permits, pool, recreation, etc.).
    Why it matters: We need to ensure our fees accurately reflect the cost of services and are comparable to neighboring towns. This ensures fairness and maximizes non-tax revenue.
  • Aggressively Pursue Grants
    Task staff, including the Grant Writer, with actively seeking specific state, federal, and county grants.
    Why it matters: Grants reduce the burden on local taxpayers. We need a proactive approach to return state and federal dollars to Cresskill.

TARGETED REVIEWS

  • Department Spending Deep Dive
    Conduct thorough operational reviews, starting with Public Safety and Public Works.
    Focus Areas: Overtime patterns, staffing needs vs. costs, equipment maintenance, and potential tech efficiencies.
    Why it matters: These are the largest budget areas. Even small efficiencies here can lead to significant savings without impacting essential services.
  • Control Employee Benefit Costs
    Analyze the drivers of recent sharp increases in health insurance costs and explore all containment options (plan design, wellness programs).
    Why it matters: Benefits are a huge cost driver for all towns, including ours. Proactive management during negotiations is crucial to prevent these costs from crowding out other services or forcing tax increases.
  • Expand Shared Services
    Commission a study focused on specific opportunities to share services (e.g., IT, specialized public works, inspections, administrative functions) with neighbors or the school district.
    Why it matters: Sharing services saves money. While we share some services, towns like Tenafly participate in larger insurance pools, showing potential for more collaboration.
  • Prudent Debt & Capital Planning
    Scrutinize the Capital Improvement Plan and future borrowing.
    Why it matters: While our overall debt level is reasonable compared to Tenafly, our debt payments increased faster this year (11% vs ~3%). We need careful planning to avoid burdening future taxpayers.

LEVERAGING COMMUNITY TALENT

One of my core principles is to harness the incredible expertise within our community rather than hiring expensive consultants.

CITIZEN BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Recruit retired finance professionals and other skilled residents to serve on a budget advisory committee
Review departmental budget requests and identify potential efficiencies
Bring private sector expertise to public sector financial management

VOLUNTEER EXPERTISE TASK FORCES

Create specialized volunteer groups focused on specific challenges (e.g., technology optimization, green initiatives)
Tap into resident knowledge instead of paying expensive consultants
Foster community ownership of town improvements

By actively recruiting retired professionals and other skilled residents to volunteer their expertise for specific projects and advisory roles, we can save taxpayer money while getting high-quality input.

TRANSPARENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Residents deserve to know exactly how their tax dollars are being spent. I'll implement several initiatives to increase transparency and accountability:

Create an interactive online budget dashboard showing real-time spending compared to budgeted amounts
Implement performance metrics for all departments to ensure efficiency and effectiveness
Conduct regular performance audits of municipal services
Host quarterly budget forums where residents can ask questions directly to department heads
Publish detailed reports on the results of all efficiency initiatives, including actual dollars saved
100%
Transparency

Full visibility into town finances through online dashboard

4×
Budget Forums

Quarterly opportunities for direct resident input

$$$
Cost Savings

Documented savings from efficiency initiatives

Fiscal responsibility isn't just a campaign slogan—it's my commitment to you. As your mayor, I will ensure that every tax dollar is spent wisely, every opportunity for savings is explored, and every financial decision is made with complete transparency. Together, we can build a more fiscally sound Cresskill that delivers exceptional value to its residents.