Sayreville council adopts amended 2025 municipal budget, average home tax rises about $30

The Mayor and Borough Council of Sayreville on Tuesday adopted an amended 2025 municipal budget after a public hearing and roll-call vote, approving a plan that relies on $9,400,000 in surplus and raises local taxes to provide for $80,049,892.95 in general revenues.

The budget matters because it sets municipal spending for the year, funds police and public works, and affects homeowners’ tax bills. Danielle, a borough finance staff member, told residents during the hearing that the adopted plan will increase the average Sayreville homeowner’s municipal tax bill by about $30.

Councilmembers opened the public hearing after the borough read Resolution 2025-112, the budget amendment, which the council described as the introduced budget amended prior to final adoption. The resolution lists summary figures included in the budget: surplus $9,400,000; miscellaneous revenues $29,513,178.78; local tax for municipal purposes $37,697,532.67; and total general revenues $80,049,892.95. The water utility budget totals $15,059,056.

Residents used the public portion to press elected officials on several items before the council. Jim Robinson of Parlin asked whether the document before the council was the introduced budget or an amended version, and requested specific answers about line items including money for the historic firehouse, the mayor’s office staffing, and donations to local nonprofits. "The resolution says the budget was approved on April 28. I know it was introduced on April 28, but I don't know that it was approved," Robinson said during the hearing.

Danielle responded to several questions but said some items—such as the exact number of new employees—would require follow-up. "I'd have to look up some of the questions," she said, and she confirmed the $30 average increase figure for the typical assessed home.

Speakers at the hearing also raised concerns about uses of surplus (noting the $9.4 million figure), a $90,000 reduction for school crossing guards compared with 2024, a $50,000 reduction reported for the Office on Aging, and whether donations to local nonprofits such as BIC (Brain Injury Center) would change. During discussion, council members said the amended budget reduces some appropriations by about $165,000 and increases some revenues, bringing the tax rate change down to two cents (as described at the hearing).

After public comment, the council voted to adopt the amended budget and the municipal budget resolution. Recorded votes during the final adoption included: Councilperson Zabrowski — yes; Councilperson Polisi — yes; Councilperson Roberts — yes; Councilperson Sinarski — yes; Councilperson Balca — no; Councilwoman Novak — no. The motion passed by majority vote.

Council members who supported the budget described it as a lean plan that preserves future financial stability. One council member thanked department heads and finance staff for preparing what they called a fiscally responsible document.

Members of the public who asked detailed questions were told staff would follow up by email with additional clarifications. The finance staff said they would provide answers to outstanding itemized questions, including staffing counts and line-item clarifications.

The adopted resolutions referenced during the meeting included the public hearing notice made in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act (Chapter 231, P.L. 1975) and the budget amendment citation read into the record as Resolution 2025-112. Residents may request more detail or the full budget documents from borough finance staff.

The council moved to other agenda items after adopting the budget; staff said the department would circulate requested details to residents who asked during the hearing.