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Green Township introduces ordinance to exceed 2026 municipal budget cap; public hearing set for Feb. 2
Summary
The Green Township Committee on Jan. 20 introduced Ordinance 2026-01 to increase the 2026 municipal budget by up to 3.5%, creating a cap bank of $116,214.56. The committee also approved routine appointments and accepted the bills list for Dec. 12, 2025–Jan. 14, 2026.
The Green Township Committee introduced an ordinance on Jan. 20 to exceed municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank for calendar year 2026. The ordinance would permit a 3.5% increase over last year’s final appropriations, amounting to $116,214.56, and the committee set a public hearing for Feb. 2, 2026.
Margaret "Peg" Phillips moved to introduce Ordinance 2026-01 and to advance it to public hearing; Michael Rose seconded. The motion carried on a roll-call vote in which James DeYoung, Phillips, Bader Qarmout, Rose and Mayor Virginia "Ginnie" Raffay voted in favor. The ordinance text cites the Local Government Cap Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.1 et seq.) and the statutory mechanism for creating a cap bank in succeeding years.
Why it matters: allowing the additional 3.5% (the $116,214.56 difference cited in the ordinance) gives the township flexibility in the CY 2026 budget to cover anticipated expenses while retaining the unused portion as an exception available in the next two fiscal years, if not spent. The ordinance must be adopted following the public hearing; the clerk filed the ordinance language with the Division of Local Government Services as required by statute.
The committee also approved routine administrative and fiscal items. The bills list covering Dec. 12, 2025 through Jan. 14, 2026 was accepted (current‑fund payments listed in meeting materials totaled $75,214.47 for this cycle; total payments across funds on the printed list were $83,317.11). The committee approved a range of resolutions including a contract authorization for alcohol and drug testing services with Valley Medical Group (term Apr. 1, 2026–Mar. 31, 2028), appointments of municipal and court officials, environmental and land‑use board appointments, and a shared‑services agreement with the Sussex County MUA for Certified Recycling Professional services at a cost not to exceed $300.
Township Clerk Mark Zschack reported timeline items relevant to the budget process: an Open Space Recreation Plan update is proposed with a Land Conservancy fee estimated at about $5,000 (to be paid from the Open Space Trust Fund), and a budget workshop is scheduled for Feb. 17, contingent on receiving financial recommendations from the Finance Subcommittee.
Next steps: the public hearing on Ordinance 2026-01 is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2026; adoption will depend on the hearing record and any amendments. Budget calendar items, including the Feb. 17 workshop and any follow-up from the Finance Subcommittee, will inform final appropriations.
