False Claim #4 (continued): “Consolidating our elections will reduce Ridgewood election costs, make better use of taxpayer dollars.”

TRUTH: The results of the 2020 school budget vote saved taxpayers $630,000 this year and every year going forward compounded by each year’s tax increase. This money was not needed and was actually headed to maintenance reserves. In planning the $100 million annual school budget, there is waste. Annual budget votes can lead to identifying that waste, keeping a higher percentage of the tax levy focused on education related expenses. And really, it’s kind of hard to sell a $50,000 cost for an election as favorable to $630,000 in savings to taxpayers. Remember, once that money is taxed, it’s taxed again every year compounded by the tax increase.