Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves multiple 2026 budget line adjustments and funds AI software after lengthy staffing debate
Summary
At an April meeting, the Township of Washington council approved a series of line‑item changes to the 2026 budget — including IT and equipment purchases — adopted a 2.5% across‑the‑board salary increase for most employees and restored a $5,000 AI software line for the building department after debate about whether to prioritize staff or software.
The Township of Washington council completed a detailed line‑by‑line review of the 2026 budget in its April meeting, approving several adjustments to operating and capital lines and voting to adopt a 2.5% across‑the‑board pay increase for covered positions.
Administrator Mark D. Carlo guided council through the non‑salary items and described specific requests, including an IT services increase and a $30,000 estimate to replace a failed police air‑conditioning condenser. Council approved a $12,000 increase for administration IT services after council members agreed a $12,000 computer expense had been moved from capital to operating.
Council voted on a series of smaller adjustments during the session: cutting administration mileage from $600 to $550; reducing an elections line after confirming invoiced costs; and approving vehicle and equipment lines tied to police needs, including replacement radios and a Vanberg speedboard. Several motions were passed by roll call as the council walked through pages of the budget book.
A lengthy debate unfolded over a previously tabled $5,000 request for Uniform Construction Code (UCC) AI software in the building department. Administration proposed removing the $5,000 software request to fund an additional part‑time assistant technical assistant (TA) instead; council members pushed back and argued the proposed software could expedite permit reviews. After extended discussion, the council voted to restore the $5,000 software line.
On personnel costs, the council considered several percentages for a uniform raise. Following debate about employee retention, the value of modest increases for lower‑paid civilian staff, and tax impacts on residents, the council adopted a 2.5% across‑the‑board increase for 2026 on a 3–2 roll call vote.
The meeting also addressed the police dispatch outsourcing question; members agreed to start a decision process in August and return with numbers in October–November if needed. The council moved the police air‑conditioning need into the capital improvement fund once an adjusted estimate was available.
The council adjourned after finishing the budget line items and confirming salary and personnel decisions. Where roll‑call votes were taken, results are recorded in the meeting minutes and the actions list.
