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West Milford council adopts $41.17 million 2026 budget, sets estimated tax rate
Summary
The Township Council approved the 2026 municipal budget totaling $41,170,719, with a municipal levy of $23,563,586 and a $6.79 million surplus applied; the body also authorized estimated third-quarter tax bills and a cap-bank ordinance allowing up to a 3.5% appropriations increase.
The West Milford Township Council on May 20 adopted its 2026 municipal budget and related financial measures, approving a total budget of $41,170,719 that includes an anticipated surplus of $6,790,000 and a municipal amount to be raised by taxation of $23,563,586.
Council also approved Resolution 2026-192 certifying the township’s eligibility for local self-examination of the budget and Resolution 2026-193 formally adopting the budget after required review. The resolutions state that miscellaneous revenues are projected at $8,043,828 and receipts from delinquent taxes at $1,100,000. The adopted budget lists an Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund levy of $550,068 and a minimum library tax of $1,673,305.
Earlier in the meeting the council moved Ordinance 2026-012 to authorize exceeding the 2026 Local Government Cap Law appropriation limit up to 3.50 percent; the ordinance notes the council determined a 1.00% exception equal to $311,687.60 and a potential total 3.5% exception of $1,090,906.60. No members of the public commented during the ordinance’s hearing, and the motion to move the ordinance passed on a recorded vote with all six councilmembers present voting aye (Erik, Chazukow, Lichtenberg, Goodsir, Hass, Marsden).
Because a certified tax rate was not yet available, the council adopted Resolution 2026-195 authorizing the Tax Collector to issue estimated tax bills for the third quarter. The resolution set an estimated 2026 tax levy of $126,129,315 and an estimated tax rate of $4.586, and specified that interest will not accrue on the third-quarter installment until the later of Aug. 1 or 25 days after mailing of estimated bills.
The council’s action completes the statutory budget process for 2026 and authorizes the finance office to proceed with tax billing and related administrative steps. The resolutions and ordinance were adopted by votes recorded in the minutes; the council approved the budget and associated motions unanimously among those present.
The next procedural step for residents is the Tax Collector’s mailing of estimated bills once the certified tax rate timeline is resolved; council set no further public hearings tied to these budget resolutions.
