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Bridgeton council advances 2026 budget after CFO trims proposed tax increase to $0.22
Summary
CFO Dianilda Torres told the council the CY2026 budget, introduced April 21 with a 36¢ tax increase, was cut to a 22¢ increase by using fund balance and 10% reductions in operating budgets; the council pulled Resolution E-2 at the State’s request and adopted emergency temporary appropriations pending state approval.
CFO Dianilda Torres said the City of Bridgeton’s 2026 municipal budget was introduced April 21 with a proposed 36-cent tax increase but that discussions with administration and council have reduced that figure to 22 cents by using fund balance and cutting operating budgets by 10 percent. She told the council the State has requested changes to the introduced budget, requiring the council to pull Resolution E-2 and preventing adoption of any amendments until the State approves the initial submission.
Council President Edward Bethea opened the public hearing on the CY2026 Municipal Budget; no members of the public spoke during the hearing. After the hearing, Councilman J. Cmtis Edwards moved to pull Resolution E-2, a motion seconded by Councilman David Gonzalez. Later, Councilwoman Rosemary DeQuinzio moved to adopt RESOLUTION E-3 (Resolution No. 88-26), authorizing additional emergency temporary appropriations pending final adoption of the CY2026 budget; the roll call vote on E-3 was unanimous.
Why it matters: pulling E-2 preserves the City’s ability to comply with State-required changes before final adoption, while E-3 provides temporary authority for needed appropriations so critical services can continue pending the State review. CFO Torres and council members emphasized continuing work to lower the increase further; Council President Bethea asked for follow-up discussions offline with the CFO on the target number.
What’s next: The introduced budget remains subject to State review and any required modifications; the council’s emergency temporary appropriations (E-3) will remain in place until the State approves the initial budget and the council can consider final adoption.
