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Summit introduces $63.4 million 2026 municipal budget, schedules May 5 public hearing
Summary
The Summit City Council introduced the 2026 municipal budget — $63,427,000 for municipal operations and $68,767,000 total including capital — and set a public hearing and vote for May 5. Officials said rising operating costs, insurance and lower investment income drove most of the increase.
Summit City officials introduced the 2026 municipal budget on April 7, setting a May 5 public hearing and vote.
City Administrator Tammy Baldwin, presenting the finance overview, said the municipal operating budget totals $63,427,000 (a 6.1% increase from 2025) and the combined total including capital is $68,767,000 (a 5.8% increase). Baldwin highlighted several revenue and cost drivers: a $350,000 shortfall in investment income, a required $81,940 payment to Union County related to a hospital bed tax issue, and rising operating costs across departments, including an $808,000 increase in health insurance premiums and higher utility and professional-services expenses.
"So, we ended December 31st, 2025 with $10.62 million in fund balance, and we are using $8.5 million of that in the 2026 budget, which leaves behind just about 20% there, the $2.1 million," Baldwin said.
Why it matters: Council staff said the budget tries to balance service demands with limited local-revenue growth. Baldwin noted the city is under the state property-tax levy cap and remains roughly $476,000 under the maximum allowable levy. The estimated municipal tax rate rose to 0.97 (from 0.943 in 2025), which the administration said contributes roughly $162 of the total $933 estimated average residential tax-bill increase for a home assessed at $445,000.
Key figures and priorities: The presentation broke out the sewer utility ($8.7 million, self-liquidating) and parking utility ($6.2 million) separately. Capital highlights include $2.5 million for the Tier Garage rehabilitation project, $980,000 for sewer infrastructure and TV inspection, and nearly $2 million for community-services infrastructure, including road improvements and sidewalk projects. The finance team said they will continue to search for cost savings and additional fee changes and cited potential operational moves such as shifting the telephone system to a computer-based platform to save money.
Council action: Council Member Landman moved Resolution 12477 to introduce the municipal budget; the roll call recorded 'Aye' votes from Mr. Boyer, Mr. Chrisafulli, Ms. Commins, Ms. Landman, Ms. Sciarrillo, Mr. Polowy and President Toothe. The introduction starts the 28‑day period before adoption and the public hearing and vote on May 5.
What’s next: The council will take public comment at the May 5 hearing and can amend the proposal before final adoption. Baldwin and finance staff encouraged residents to review budget documents posted on the city's website for more detailed line-item information.
