Mayor Solomon Orders Audit of Developer Tax Breaks

Jersey City Mayor James Solomon has signed an executive order launching a citywide audit of long-term tax abatements and announced reforms to reduce fees for community cultural events.

“There are currently over 100 such abatements in the city, each with different conditions and payment tiers,” the mayor’s office stated. The audit will assess compliance and identify cases where enforcement action may be needed. Oversight will be led by the Business Administrator in coordination with multiple city departments, with findings expected by July 1, 2026.

“You’ve seen expensive luxury developments popping up all over the place—developments that ought to be bringing in money for our city—yet your property taxes and rents continue to rise,” said Mayor Solomon. “We’re going to audit the big developers who may not be paying what they owe”.

Additionally, the administration has introduced a tiered cost-sharing system to lower public safety and administrative fees for community events. Previously, fees for events such as the Philippine-American Friendship Committee’s (PAFCOM) annual parade reached nearly $11,500, forcing a downsized event at a county park.

The reforms aim to cut such costs by approximately half, with an estimated annual city expenditure of under $100,000.

“This administration will not balance the budget on the backs of working people,” Solomon said.