Despite slashing 278 seasonal and low-wage jobs, trimming city vehicle use by 20 percent, closing a library and four fire stations in an effort to cut taxes, the City Council on February 24 faced an agitated group of approximately 500 taxpayers.

A $492 million budget with a 23 percent tax increase ($190 million tax levy) was introduced last month, compounding taxpayers’ woes over a 24 percent water bill increase. The latest cuts lower the average tax increase from $800 to $640 on a home assessed at $100,000.

But residents said it’s not enough. Many blamed the tax increase on lavish health benefits, pensions and retirement payouts to city employees, coupled with political patronage jobs.

Some felt that the job cuts should have been made in departments with too many supervisor positions instead of seasonal workers.

“Jersey City Soccer” Coach Daniel Aguilar, who lost his $7.25 an hour job, addressed the council, flanked by supporters.

“This affects 1,000 kids,” he said, noting that he was one of only two coaches in the program. “The decision sends the wrong message to families.”

Resident Andrew Velwest told the council to “spread the pain” of cuts and layoffs.

“We’re all feeling the pain. It’s time to reduce sick and vacation pay,” he added. “Renegotiate contracts.”

After public outcry over two city employees who retired with a combined $371,000 in unused sick and vacation days and later hired by the city as consultants, the City Council approved a “compromise ordinance” as suggested in a memo from Mayor Jerramiah Healy.

Councilman Stephen Fulop failed to muster votes to introduce an ordinance cutting all health benefits to members of the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (JCMUA) and the Jersey City Incinerator Authority (JCIA)--the agencies the two city employees worked for.

The compromise ordinance introduced requires members of both agencies to pay 20 percent for health benefits and eliminates benefits to members’ families.

Another budget hearing may be held at the March 10 meeting.