Saddle Brook council adopts 2026 budget after state-required amendment; officials say municipal portion averages $187 increase

The Saddle Brook Township Council voted unanimously June 18 to adopt the municipal 2026 budget after a technical, state‑required amendment, council members said.

Business administrator Mr. Holsey and municipal finance staff told residents during a public budget hearing that the largest drivers of the year‑to‑year increase were contractual salary steps, cost‑of‑living adjustments and large vendor bills, not new hires. "The increase is $619,475," Mr. Holsey said when asked to quantify year‑to‑year salary change, and staff attributed the figure to contractual obligations and step increases rather than freshly added positions.

Officials also told residents the municipality saw a sizable increase in its sewer expense from the Pake Valley Sewer Commission; staff described roughly a $650,000 increase in the commission bill that contributed to the 'other expenses' line rising. Municipal staff further said the water utility currently pays a $95,000 appropriation for employee pension costs to the current fund and that, aside from that pension share, the water utility is not being tapped as a general‑fund revenue source.

During public comment, residents sought clarity on whether surplus and property sale proceeds would be used to temper taxes. A municipal official identified in the transcript as Mr. Wilcox said the administration would use surplus in the current fund to partially offset the levy and confirmed that $251,000 of proceeds from a Market/Marcus Street property sale are included as revenue in this year's budget.

Mr. Wilcox and other staff projected the municipal portion of the tax increase under the adopted budget at approximately $186.95 for the average homeowner, noting a recent reassessment that raised the average assessed value from about $476,319 to $500,567.

Councilman Garrick moved to amend the introduced budget to accommodate the state's technical comment (a two‑line revenue/replacement adjustment described by counsel); the motion to amend passed on roll call. Councilman Garrick then moved to adopt the budget as amended; Councilman Akamando seconded, and the roll call recorded 'Yes' votes from Councilman Garrick, Councilman Akamando, Councilwoman Sanchez, Councilwoman Ma, and Council President Simaluca.

The administration said the state review did not change the overall dollar totals presented when the budget was introduced; it required a reclassification of one revenue line and a replacement revenue entry so the state could complete its review. Town officials told the public they will continue to monitor non‑discretionary costs and pursue efficiencies through attrition where appropriate.

The council closed the public portion of the budget hearing after taking several residents' comments and completed formal adoption of the budget with the state‑requested amendment.