Edison Council adopts 2025 municipal budget after debate over reserves, debt and mayor’s absence

Edison Township Council adopted an amendment to the 2025 municipal budget and then adopted the final municipal budget during its May 14 regular meeting after public comment and a council discussion about reserves, debt and tax rates.

The amendment shifts reporting between two accounts — storm recovery and a reserve for salary adjustments — into the operating account so the balances will later be reconciled back into surplus, Finance staff member Sonia said. “There’s nothing extra being used,” Sonia said, explaining the change is a reporting mechanism rather than an additional appropriation.

Residents pressed the council about how much of the budget relies on surplus. “Now we’re gonna be taking $15,300,000 from reserves. So my questions are, number 1, is that correct?” Joel Bassoff of Beach Lane asked during the public hearing. Bassoff also said the municipal tax rate has increased under the current mayor from 1.388 to 1.491 — a 7.4% rise since 2021 — and warned that authorized debt has risen from about $116.5 million to about $179.9 million, a 54.5% jump.

Council members defended the package. Council Vice President (unnamed in the public record) noted the amendment increases the percent of the budget drawn from reserves to roughly 82% of a target match but said he was “comfortable with that,” citing anticipated replenishment of surplus later in the year. Council members also placed the town’s recent tax and debt numbers in broader historical context and noted inflationary pressures on fixed costs such as health care.

After public comment and council discussion, the council voted to adopt the amendment and then the final municipal budget. Roll call for the budget adoption recorded affirmative votes from Council Members Brasher, Coyle, Patel, Patil, Poynter, Schmuel and Council President Harris; there were no recorded no votes or abstentions.

The council also opened and adopted the 2025 solid waste budget without public opposition. Council members thanked sanitation and finance staff for managing costs; Council Vice President reported a small increase tied to operating expenses.

Why it matters: the amended reporting and the use of surplus to balance the operating budget were the main focus of resident questions. Council members said they expect reconciliation steps before year-end and emphasized current reserve levels and debt service projections when explaining why they supported the budget.

What’s next: the budgets adopted on May 14 will be reflected in township financial reports and reconciled at year-end; council members said they will continue to monitor reserve levels and debt service.