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High Bridge council adopts 2026 municipal budget after public hearing
Summary
After reopening the public hearing, the High Bridge Borough Council adopted the 2026 municipal budget following a unanimous self-examination resolution; the final budget vote was 5-1. Council members cited rising costs, staffing turnover and investments in infrastructure and the golf course.
The High Bridge Borough Council voted June 25 to adopt the borough's 2026 municipal budget after reopening the public hearing and passing a self‑examination resolution. The council approved Resolution 148‑2026, the budget self‑examination, unanimously, and then adopted Resolution 130‑2026, the 2026 budget, on a 5‑1 roll‑call vote (Councilwoman Ferry opposed).
CFO Peter Suh briefed the council on the continuation of the public hearing and on the municipal budget process, including pending state reviews and the option of self‑examination. Suh described how reassessment affects ratables and the borough's efforts to hold the municipal tax rate steady while accounting for cost pressures.
Councilwoman Hamlin framed the budget in the context of statewide increases in healthcare and pension costs and High Bridge's responsibilities for operating local police, fire, school, utilities and the municipal golf course. She said recent staffing turnover across departments and several years of deferred maintenance informed the budget priorities, and she noted the golf course has seen improved finances after reduced debt and new revenue measures; the council plans to issue an RFP to maximize the golf course's future revenue potential.
Administrator Richard Sheola explained that shared services can reduce costs when suitable partners are available and reiterated the administration's work on personnel and infrastructure priorities. Councilwoman Matos asked for clarification about the self‑examination process and the identification of potential shared services; Attorney Wendy Quiroga said council will receive updates once a meaningful PILOT proposal is available and that communications remain ongoing.
The council closed the public hearing before taking the self‑examination and budget adoption votes. The meeting record shows the budget self‑examination passed 6‑0 and the final budget vote was 5‑1. The council also approved routine business on the consent agenda and the bill list later in the meeting. The next council meeting is scheduled for July 16, 2026.
