Summit residents would pay twice as much for parking and disposal permits starting Jan. 1, 2027, under a fee ordinance headed to the Common Council on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

The same 201-page agenda packet also contains the city's response to a state financial questionnaire acknowledging that Summit has not produced quarterly cash-flow reports since 2023, nj21st reported.

Permit fees double for the first time since 2006

The proposed ordinance would raise the resident digital parking and disposal permit from $10 to $20. The senior permit, for residents 62 and older, would go from $5 to $10.

Those permits grant access to the municipal transfer station on New Providence Avenue and to permit-required commuter parking lots. A city memo cited higher transfer station costs and added amenities as the reason for the increase. The rates have not changed since 2006.

The ordinance also raises several land-use application fees. Bulk variance and floor-area-ratio (FAR) variance applications for one- and two-family homes would jump from $200 to $500. The required escrow deposit would rise from $800 to $1,500. Firearms fees would also be updated consistent with state law, according to a memo from Police Chief Ryan Peters.

The ordinance is set for introduction Oct. 20, with a public hearing scheduled for Nov. 4.

City hasn't filed cash-flow reports since 2023

Summit's completed Best Practices Inventory, a state questionnaire covering municipal finances, operations and transparency, is on the agenda for public discussion.

One question asks whether the finance office produces a cash-flow report at least quarterly and updates elected officials on the results. Summit's answer: "Not since 2023 – workload doesn't allow for time to complete."

The inventory also disclosed that the city's adopted budget did not keep one-time revenues at or below 10% of total revenues. Asked whether it has a plan to reverse that practice, Summit responded "not applicable," adding that the chief financial officer's group is following up on the sequence of questions.

Not all the answers were negative. Summit reported maintaining a fund balance of at least 20% of appropriations, engaging in long-term financial planning and posting its financial statements and audit. Current labor agreements, however, are not all posted on the city's website; the inventory directs people to the state Public Employment Relations Commission instead.

$630,472 in equipment purchases

Two resolutions would authorize a combined $630,472 for new Public Works vehicles.

The first, $330,040, would buy an Elgin Pelican street sweeper through the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program. It would replace a 2012 sweeper with 49,404 miles that Public Works says has a rotted frame, worn bearings and estimated repairs exceeding $30,000.

The second, $300,432, would replace garbage truck No. 68 with a 2027 Kenworth chassis ($144,049 through the Bergen County cooperative contract) and a Leach body ($156,382 through Sourcewell). The current truck has 68,000 miles and an estimated $40,000 in needed repairs. The new truck would handle commercial and residential trash collection and Dial-A-Truck service.

Vendors' price quotes were not included in the agenda packet.

Village Green change order adds $57,750

A change order would add $57,750 to the Village Green Phase III Improvement Project, bringing S. Batata Construction's contract to $575,650 from $517,900. The increase covers $52,750 for decorative lights and $5,000 for handhole and conduit installation. A city memo said the cost stems from extending decorative lighting into Mabie Playground, which was not included in the original contract for that area.

Other agenda items

The Department of Community Services (DCS) reorganization returns for a hearing and final vote. The ordinance, unanimously introduced Oct. 6, would split Engineering and Public Works into two separate divisions, bringing DCS to four divisions total.

A separate ordinance up for introduction would revise Summit's drone rules, allowing lawful launching, landing and operation from city-owned or public property by operators who meet FAA certification requirements. That hearing is also scheduled for Nov. 4.

The council will also consider a $2.19 million payment resolution covering $1.26 million in bills and $925,719 in payroll. Larger bills include $320,861 to Crossroads Paving for Tulip Street work and $220,653 to AJM Contractors for Industrial/Walnut.

Councilwoman Chantal Landman has sought more detail on city legal spending. At the Oct. 6 meeting, she said the solicitor's office agreed to change its billing so litigation charges could be broken down by matter and police-related Open Public Records Act (OPRA) work could be separated out. At the Sept. 12 council meeting, Landman asked: "What are we spending on each legal matter, from litigation to OPRA requests?"

The public meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20. The agenda is posted on the city's website.