Lacey Committee adopts 2026 municipal budget with 4.3% increase; levy set at $24.79 million

The Lacey Township Committee approved the township's 2026 municipal budget and related resolutions, setting the tax levy at $24,786,703.95 and total general appropriations at $47,027,876. The committee passed Resolution 2026-148 adopting the budget after opening the floor for public comment and responding to questions from residents about the tax-rate change.

During public comment, Richard Bidnick of Lacey Citizens for Responsible Government asked for the percentage and dollar amount of the tax increase. Finance staff (Ms. Cavallo) replied that the increase is 4.3% and cited the overall levy and the difference from the previous year as $1,852,807; employee health insurance costs were described as "over $2 million." The committee then moved and carried the resolution by roll call vote; members who answered during the roll calls included Mr. McDonald, Mr. Kertesz (several spellings in the record), Mrs. Giuliano, Mr. LaRae and Mayor Kennis.

The budget includes general appropriations and reserves for uncollected taxes and anticipates $22,241,172.05 in other revenues against the total appropriation. Committee members said they will continue to post related documents and to discuss financing implications with residents ahead of further decisions on high-cost proposals such as a proposed YMCA.

What happens next: The committee authorized reading the budget by title only earlier in the meeting and adopted the full budget; department heads and township staff will implement the adopted appropriations and post final documents on the township website.