Councilman Dr. Robert Rubino led a small group from Summit to the county freeholder meeting in Elizabeth this week to encourage a fiscally conservative budget.

The group included Councilman Pat Hurley and residents Deb McCann and Lisa Allen. Dr. Rubino spoke to the freeholders during public comments requesting that the board produce a "stridently austere budget" and presented a resolution passed at the last Summit board meeting urging a temporary 50 percent reduction in the county open space tax. This program, originally intended to preserve 100 acres, has already surpassed its goal by 300%, preserving over 300 acres. Dr Rubino also pointed out that Summit pays more in taxes to the county than it does to run the entire city. He requested that the board of freeholders pass an ordinance capping a City's tax levy to the county to be no more than what it pays to run itself.

Pat Hurley offered his collaboration on the topic compelling the county to keep budgets reasonable so local property taxes are kept in check. He  invited the freeholders to attend a Summit City council meeting to get a better perspective on our city's fiscal challenges.

Local residents Deb McCann and Lisa Allen also attended the meeting. Mrs Allen pressed upon the board that the citizens of Summit are struggling to keep pace with the annual County tax hikes. She also reminded the freeholders of the recent star ledger  article identifying Union County as the highest taxed county in NJ (One of the highest taxed states in the country, ) having surpassed Essex County. Councilman Rubino states he and other council members have no direct influence over the county tax levy , but they intend to continue to cultivate a relationship with them and be a strong voice to cut spending at the county level. This is councilman Rubino's second visit to the Freeholder's meeting, two weeks ago he joined councilmen Madden, Getzendanner and Bomgaars requesting Fiscal restraint in this year's county spending.