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High Bridge council blocks introduction of 2026 municipal budget after 4–2 vote
Summary
On April 23, 2026 the High Bridge Borough Council voted 4–2 against introducing the 2026 municipal budget (Resolution 115-2026), delaying the budget process and the planned public hearing; councilmembers and the CFO said amendments may still be made after introduction.
High Bridge Borough Council on April 23 rejected a resolution to introduce the 2026 municipal budget, leaving the budget unintroduced and delaying the planned public hearing. The motion to introduce Resolution 115-2026, moved by Councilman Nowell and seconded by Councilwoman Conroy, failed on a 4–2 roll-call vote: Councilwoman Conroy and Councilman Nowell voted yes; Councilwomen Ferry, Hamlin, Murdock and Councilwoman Matos voted no.
Attorney Wendy Quiroga and Borough Chief Financial Officer Peter Suh told the council that amendments could be made after introduction, but several councilmembers said they needed more time to review the proposal. Councilwoman Murdock said additional review was necessary before the council should move forward with budget introduction.
The resolution would have set a public hearing for May 28, 2026, but because introduction failed the council will not proceed with the May 28 hearing on the version of the budget that was before members on April 23. Mayor Michele Lee commented on the outcome during the meeting but did not state a new timetable for reintroduction.
The defeat of the introduction leaves the borough on the current fiscal timeline; the CFO and attorney indicated procedural options remain, including revising and reintroducing the budget at a later meeting. Any new introduction would again trigger required public notice and a public hearing date. No formal amendments were recorded during the April 23 meeting.
