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Wanaque introduces 2026 municipal budget; borough cites $78.20 tax impact
Summary
Borough Administrator Robert Hermansen introduced the 2026 municipal budget April 27, citing a $78.20 tax increase driven mainly by a 36% state health‑insurance increase; the public hearing and adoption are set for June 15, 2026.
Borough Administrator Robert Hermansen presented the Borough of Wanaque’s 2026 municipal budget to the Mayor and Council on April 27, 2026, and the governing body introduced the budget under Resolution #2026-142. Hermansen told the council the tax increase will be $78.20 for the year and said a 36% rise in state health insurance premiums was the primary driver of higher costs.
Council approved related budget actions: Resolution #2026-141 authorizing an increase in deferred regional high school taxes (an increase of $170,668.00 deferred from 2024 to 2025) and Resolution #2026-143 authorizing emergency temporary appropriations (current fund $3,881,000; water $369,000; sewer $1,100,000) to carry municipal operations until formal adoption. Council President Robert Pettet and other members thanked department heads and the finance team for preparing the budget.
During the public comment period resident Jay Cohen asked how the $78.20 increase translated to assessed value; Councilman Dominick Cortellessa cited an assessed value example of $278,000. The council scheduled the public hearing and final adoption of the budget for June 15, 2026.
Next steps: the budget will be the subject of a public hearing on June 15; any changes required by the governing body or by state review will be presented before final adoption.
