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Union County adopts $559.2 million 2026 budget, authorizes bond issues and modifications
Summary
The Union County Board adopted the $559,192,647.06 2026 budget, approving a 2% tax-levy increase to cover rising health and prescription costs and reduced federal funding; commissioners also authorized combined bond issuances totaling $29.25 million and accepted multiple state and federal grant awards that modified the adopted budget.
Union County commissioners adopted the county’s 2026 budget on April 30, approving a $559,192,647.06 spending plan and authorizing related bond issuances and budget modifications.
Fiscal Chair and Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri‑Mouded said the budget reflects careful planning amid “significant fiscal pressure,” noting a 21% increase in health and prescription benefits and reductions in federal funding including SNAP. She told the board the county expects to hold a modest 2% tax‑levy increase to maintain core services while pursuing shared services and operational efficiencies.
Finance Director Bibi Taylor explained capped compensated balances for retirees (statutorily limited to $15,000 on the reported schedules) and that sick‑leave payouts are capped at $1,500 per the county’s disclosed practice. Taylor said employee benefits costs rose by more than $25 million and that the county had not used its tax‑cap bank in nearly a decade.
Commissioners voted to adopt multiple bond resolutions combining several authorizations into a single sale: $19,980,000 in General Improvement Bonds of 2026; $1,270,000 in County Vocational‑Technical School Bonds of 2026 (New Jersey School Bond Reserve Act); and two $4,000,000 County College Bond series (Series A — Chapter 12 State Aid; Series B). The board also authorized preparation and distribution of related official statements and continuing disclosure undertakings.
The board approved a series of budget modifications reflecting grant awards and state notifications, including: a $336,284 Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC) award; $18,161 for LIHEAP CWA administration; $11,611 for Universal Service Fund CWA administration; $47,099 for Violence Against Women Act programs; $420,684 in VOCA victim‑witness advocacy funding; $349,120 in a U.S. Department of Justice DNA backlog reduction award; and other smaller awards that increased the adopted budget in the amounts recorded in the minutes. The Finance director confirmed each modification was reflected in the resolutions voted on April 30.
All motions related to the budget and the bond authorizations passed by roll call vote: eight commissioners voted in favor, with Commissioner Michèle Delisfort absent.
Votes at a glance (selected): • Resolution 2026‑289 — Adopting the 2026 County of Union Budget: Passed (8–0; Delisfort absent). • Resolution 2026‑290 to 2026‑294 — Bond combining, authorization, and notice of sale for $29,250,000 bonds: Passed (8–0; Delisfort absent). • Resolution 2026‑295 to 2026‑304 — Budget modifications for HSAC, LIHEAP, Universal Service Fund, 3DM‑OEP, VAWA, VOCA, LEOTEF, Child Advocacy, Public Health Emergency Preparedness, and DNA CEBR: Passed (8–0; Delisfort absent).
Next steps: The bond sale processes will proceed as authorized (preliminary official statements and electronic bidding procedures), and the county will implement budgeted programs and grant requirements in accordance with the resolutions adopted.
