Trenton introduces $280.3 million 2025 budget; 2% municipal tax increase mandated by state aid rules

The city introduced its recommended calendar-year 2025 budget, a $280.3 million spending plan that assumes $45 million in state transitional aid and $10 million in capital aid, and includes a mandatory 2% municipal tax-rate increase that city administrators say the Department of Community Affairs requires to qualify for transitional aid.

The budget presentation was led by Maria Richardson, business administrator, and Colin Cherry, assistant business administrator, who told the council the total budget including grants is $280,300,000 and that revenue excluding grants totals $256,100,000. Cherry said the municipal tax rate will rise from 3.672 to 3.707 (an increase of roughly 3 cents) and that the municipal portion of the levy rises from $83.8 million to $85.5 million.

“It’s a requirement of that,” Cherry said when asked whether the tax increase could be avoided. He and Richardson emphasized that the 2% tax-rate increase is part of the application process for transitional aid the city has been instructed to assume by DCA.

Why it matters: The introduced budget exceeds the statutory appropriations cap by $21.3 million and, as presented, would require the city to seek a waiver or other exceptions from the Department of Community Affairs. The council’s vote to introduce the budget begins the local legal and public-review process; the city must still receive firm written commitments from the state for the aid amounts assumed and then adopt a final budget later in the statutory calendar.

Key details - Total budget (including grants): $280,300,000 (Colin Cherry). - Revenue (excluding grants): $256,100,000; grants just over $15,000,000 (Cherry). - Transitional aid assumed: $45,000,000; capital city aid assumed: $10,000,000 (Richardson/Cherry). - Municipal tax rate (municipal portion only): from 3.672 to 3.707; example given: a property with $100,000 assessed value would pay about $35 more per year under the municipal increase described by the city. - Appropriations cap: introduced budget exceeds the cap by $21,300,000; staff said the city will seek a DCA waiver as it did previously.

Council action and next steps The council voted on a motion to approve introduction of the City of Trenton’s 2025 budget (a procedural step that allows required public notice and further hearings). Roll-call votes recorded during the meeting showed the motion carried. City officials said they expect DCA’s formal award or written confirmation of transitional aid in late June or early July but had no date certain at the time of the introduction. If the state award differs from the assumptions, city staff told council they will reevaluate appropriations and bring amendments as required.

Who spoke (selected) - Maria Richardson, Business Administrator (introduction) - Colin Cherry, Assistant Business Administrator (budget overview and figures) - Council President Gonzales; Councilwomen Feliciano, Figueroa Kentenberg, Frisbie, Williams, Edwards (questions and vote)

Ending Council members approved the introduction of the budget for public review and scheduled follow-up steps. City staff said the full presentation materials will be posted on the city website for public review and that the administration will return to council with final adoption once the state aid figures are firm.