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Hillsborough committee introduces 2026 budget, sets May 26 public hearing
Summary
Hillsborough’s Township Committee introduced a $43 million municipal budget April 28, citing $867,000 in uncontrollable pension and health‑insurance increases and an overall levy increase of about 8.3%. The public hearing and adoption are scheduled for May 26.
Hillsborough Township’s governing body on April 28 introduced the 2026 municipal budget and set a public hearing and adoption vote for May 26.
CFO Christian Bushell told the committee the introduced budget totals roughly $43 million and that statutory increases — chiefly pension obligations and higher insurance costs — account for about $867,000 of unavoidable spending growth. “Right out of the gate, there’s about $867,000 in increases,” Bushell said, adding that health‑insurance and pension cost changes and joint insurance fund assessments together drove the pressure on the spending cap.
Bushell explained the state’s spending and levy caps, and that allowable exclusions (pension increases, health care, declared snow‑storm costs) affect how much of the increase can be raised through taxation. He said the municipality’s levy increase lands near 8.3% and estimated the average Hillsborough homeowner could face about a $56 annual municipal tax impact based on current assessed values.
Committee members debated procedure for public questions during an introduction. A motion to allow immediate public questioning failed; the mayor said the budget will be posted online the following day and the public may comment at the May 26 hearing. The committee then voted to introduce the budget; recorded roll call showed Committee Woman Hand voting No and the remaining members voting Yes.
Next steps: the introduced document will go to state review and the Committee will accept public comment and hold a final adoption vote on May 26.
