Red Bank commissioners table FY26 budget to consider stormwater supervisor after debate over 5% tax revenue bump

The Red Bank Board of Commissioners voted to table second and final reading of the fiscal year 2026 budget on a voice vote, sending the ordinance to the commission’s June 17 meeting so staff can amend the document to include a proposed stormwater supervisor position and the revenue needed to fund it.

City Manager Jeffrey Grama and CFO Chris Pickle presented the FY26 budget materials, which Grama said “bake in” a 2% cost-of-living adjustment and a projected 5% increase in property tax revenue. Grama told commissioners that the 5% revenue projection would raise anticipated property tax receipts from about $5.25 million to roughly $5.51 million and that the city must still await the certified tax rate before adopting a final rate.

The budget presentation flagged several notable items: the city will assume the full cost of a sworn officer previously funded by a grant, convert a part-time…