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Mendham Committee introduces 2026 budget, keeps 0% municipal levy and approves two in-meeting amendments
Summary
Administrator Jason Gabloff presented a 2026 municipal budget with a seventh consecutive 0% municipal tax‑levy increase and a projected municipal tax-rate drop; during the meeting the Committee added $2,000 to the library line and increased the forester budget to $5,000 (forester amendment passed 4–1).
Township Administrator Jason Gabloff presented the Township’s 2026 municipal budget, which the Committee introduced by resolution (2026‑085) and scheduled for public hearing. Gabloff said the Township again maintained a 0% increase in the municipal tax levy for the seventh consecutive year and attributed a decrease in the municipal tax rate (from 3.29 to 2.99) to roughly $244 million in new ratables.
Gabloff described a roughly $2.2 million capital program (including road projects such as Ironia Road, facility improvements like the salt shed and DPW equipment replacement), conservative revenue assumptions, and limited use of fund balance. Officials explained that while maintaining a 0% levy in 2026 protects taxpayers in the near term, the Township is using fund balance faster than it is regenerating and continued reliance could require gradual future tax increases.
During the meeting, Committee members considered and acted on two in‑meeting amendments to the introduced budget. Ms. Spirig moved to add $2,000 to the library budget (motion seconded by Ms. Duarte). Ms. Spirig also moved to increase the Forester line from $2,000 to $7,500, and following discussion Ms. Spirig amended that motion to increase the Forester budget to $5,000; Ms. Duarte seconded. Mr. Monaghan expressed concern about the lack of a defined scope for the Forester role and fiscal prudence; the Forester amendment passed on a voice vote 4–1 (Ms. Duarte, Ms. Moreen, Ms. Spirig and Mayor Neibart in favor; Mr. Monaghan opposed). Ms. Moreen noted she had forgone her Township Committee stipend to allow reallocation of funds.
The Committee voted to introduce the budget by recorded vote (Resolution 2026‑085), with the recorded vote listing ayes from Ms. Duarte, Ms. Moreen, Ms. Spirig and Mayor Neibart and a nay from Mr. Monaghan. A public hearing on the budget was scheduled (per the resolution) for May 26, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Members and public commenters praised the Committee’s fiscal management while advising proactive communication about potential future adjustments. No final adoption occurred at this meeting; the action taken was introduction and scheduling of the public hearing.
