Long Branch introduces cap-bank ordinance for 2025 budget; CFO says municipal levy not increased but assessment may affect taxes

The Long Branch City Council on May 14 introduced Ordinance 008-25, which would permit the municipality to exceed the local budget appropriation cap and establish a “cap bank” under state statute; the council set a public hearing for May 28, 2025.

Council President Viera presented the ordinance and summarized the statutory basis as provided at the meeting; the council moved to introduce the ordinance on first reading, advertise and post according to law, and set the public hearing for May 28. Roll call votes to introduce the ordinance were recorded as “yes” from the council members present and the motion passed.

During the meeting’s public comment period, resident Vincent Lepore of 33 Ocean Terrace asked whether the introduced municipal budget would result in a tax increase for city residents and repeatedly pressed Council President Viera for an answer. The city’s chief financial officer, CFO Martin, responded to the public question, saying, “We have even lehi compared to last year. There's no increased levy for the taxpayers for the municipal budget.” In a separate exchange during the same line of questioning Martin also said, “Depends on their assessment.”

Lepore also asked about the separation of employment of former director William Broughton and whether a bill payout to Wiener Law Group relates to litigation involving Council President Viera; Council President Viera deferred counsel to the city attorney and CFO Martin said he would need to look up the details. The transcript records accusations from Lepore directed at Viera but no official response by the city attorney was recorded at the meeting.

The ordinance language as summarized by the council references state statutory authority for a cap bank; the council did not adopt the ordinance at this meeting but scheduled the public hearing for May 28, when the council will consider final adoption and any public testimony.