In a time when local politicians blame their fiscal house being completely out of order on the state, Northvale government leaders have only each other to blame.

Municipal officials seem no closer to adopting a budget to run government services largely because they have proposed a 22 percent tax increase — the largest in the Northern Valley.

This proposal shows that these leaders are not in tune with taxpayers’ financial concerns, a very disappointing reality for Northvale residents and business owners.

Officials have placed part of that blame on the state cutting more than $300,000 in financial aid. Democrats, led by Mayor John Hogan said Republicans botched the budget process — since it is the GOP that controls the council. And Republicans blame Democrats, saying they lead the government that caused the enormous jump in taxes.

Although the state does deserve some blame for the tax increase, the truth is the Northvale Council is failing the residents. Through all the reports we haven’t heard of any calls to cut spending. Instead, it has been the standard municipal line of having to pay for contractual obligations and state mandates that drive the budget up each year, leaving politicians with little room to cut spending.

But let’s keep in mind that it is government leaders that sign the contracts, agreeing to the yearly increases. They too play a huge role in escalating property taxes. And also, Trenton has made it clear that it is trying to get the state’s fiscal house in order and that means cuts to many programs. Why can’t some municipal leaders follow this same philosophy? Northvale is a clear case of a municipality that needs to start making cuts.

We can only hope, for the sake of the Northvale residents, that at the end of the day, these politicians will stop pointing the finger and actually do what’s right for the property owners.