Kenilworth council adopts 2025 municipal budget; CFO says no services cut

The Kenilworth Borough Council approved the 2025 municipal budget at its May 6 meeting after a public hearing and recorded roll call.

Why it matters: the budget sets property tax levies, department appropriations and the borough’s fiscal plan for the year. Council and finance staff described a multistep process that trimmed appropriations and adjusted revenues to bring the budget within statutory limits.

Key details: Chief Financial Officer Kevin Brown summarized the budget work and thanked department heads and the budget committee for cooperation. Brown said the borough cut more than $800,000 in appropriations and reduced an initially larger projected tax increase during the drafting process; he told the council that “no services were lost with this budget.”

Voting: the council voted to adopt Resolution 25‑121 (adoption of the 2025 municipal budget). Roll call recorded affirmative votes from Councilmen Boyle, Finestrella, Morrow, Piper and Scurries; one member was recorded as excused. The borough attorney reminded the council that four affirmative votes were required for budget actions and acknowledged that one councilmember arrived after roll call but was eligible to vote.

Next steps: staff will publish the adopted budget as required by law and implement the approved appropriations. Council members said they will continue monitoring capital needs and possible grant opportunities that might alter future budgets.

Ending: the council closed the public hearing with no public comments and moved forward to consent agenda items following the budget vote.