Woodcliff Lake council adopts 2026 municipal budget; average municipal portion rises $199

Woodcliff Lake — The Borough Council on Tuesday adopted its 2026 municipal budget following a public hearing and recorded roll-call votes. Officials said the budget uses a new developer contribution and a portion of open-space trust funds to limit the borough’s municipal tax levy, but rolling property assessments mean the average homeowner will see about a $199 increase in the municipal portion of the bill.

The council opened the budget hearing after adopting a resolution to waive full reading of the budget. The auditor described the budget as balanced and noted the borough recently cleared a state review required for adoption. He said total proposed revenues are up roughly 10 percent year over year, driven in part by a one-time developer contribution of $663,000 and additional use of fund balance and open-space trust reserves dedicated for debt service.

The auditor told the council the borough’s proposed tax levy for municipal purposes is $12,853,757 while the state’s permitted maximum levy would allow up to about $14.3 million; the governing body is choosing not to use that additional capacity. “We’re not raising a single dollar more in municipal taxes this year,” he said, while noting that assessed values have risen under the borough’s rolling reassessment program, which increases the dollar impact on the average house.

Council members and the mayor highlighted insurance and health-care costs as the primary budget pressure. Several members said health-insurance expenses nationwide are up more than 30 percent, and the borough has moved some employees to a higher-deductible plan to manage future increases. Officials described the budget as prudently balancing service levels and fiscal restraint.

During public comment residents asked for details about the developer contribution and pilot (PILOT) payments tied to recent projects. Finance staff and council described the developer payment as a projected, audited revenue stream that the borough will receive annually and said a portion of open-space trust receipts is being used this year to cover debt-service obligations associated with prior capital projects. Council members warned the long-term fiscal picture depends on how pilot payments and future development revenues evolve.

The council closed public comment, voted to adopt the budget and thanked the audit and finance teams. The meeting record shows roll-call affirmations by the members present. The council also approved related ordinances that establish cap-banking flexibility for future years and move forward with capital appropriations tied to the adopted budget.

The council said the budget adoption completes the municipal step of the tax process; other taxing authorities such as local and regional schools and the county set their own levies and can materially affect a resident’s total tax bill. The borough indicated it will post full budget documents publicly and provide copies for residents on request.