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Aberdeen Council adopts 2026 municipal budget after discussion of road debt and health-benefit costs
Summary
The Aberdeen Township Council unanimously adopted the 2026 municipal budget May 7 after a CFO presentation highlighting that roads account for an estimated 60–70% of debt service; residents raised concerns about rising taxes, surplus levels and insurance bidding.
Aberdeen Township Council adopted its 2026 municipal budget on May 7 following a public hearing and a presentation by Chief Financial Officer Joe Setticase.
CFO Joe Setticase presented a PowerPoint on the budget and told the council that roughly 60–70% of the township’s debt service relates to road projects. Council members and residents emphasized the need for full road reconstruction in neighborhoods such as Strathmore, including water and sewer work in conjunction with pavement replacement. "The roads are the biggest" component of debt service, Setticase said.
Setticase and Township Manager Bryan Russell said health-benefit costs have increased substantially over the past two years and that the township had limited options for lower-cost plans this budget cycle; the township participates in a health-insurance membership (HIF) rather than competitive annual bidding, the manager said. Residents expressed worries about rising property taxes and low surplus levels; Mr. Bishop asked that council discussions on budget trade-offs be held in public so voters can record each councilmember's stance. The CFO and mayor said rebuilding a 10% surplus is a priority.
During public comment, several residents described personal stress about higher bills. Anthony, a long-time Cliffwood Beach resident, said he fears having to sell his home if taxes rise; Mayor Cannon offered to connect the resident with senior programs. Dan Beckelman urged stronger economic development efforts to broaden the commercial tax base and reduce pressure on residential taxpayers.
Councilwoman Montone moved to adopt the 2026 municipal budget; Mayor Cannon seconded and the council approved the measure on a unanimous roll-call vote with Deputy Mayor Hirsch absent.
The council also approved Resolution 2026-84, an amendment to the municipal budget, earlier in the meeting. The council said department heads and the CFO will continue budget work as the township moves toward converting short-term borrowing into permanent financing when market conditions allow.
