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Lawnside council introduces ordinance to establish 2026 cap bank under N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14
Summary
The Lawnside Borough Council voted to introduce Ordinance No. 04-2026 to exceed municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank under N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14 (COLA/CAP). The measure was introduced by Councilperson Eric Wilcox and seconded by Councilperson Dawn Wright-McLeod; a roll-call vote recorded three members present in favor and three absentees.
Lawnside ' The Borough Council on May 4 introduced Ordinance No. 04-2026, a measure to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank under N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14, commonly used to permit cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) or to bank unused tax levy increases for later use. Councilperson Eric J. Wilcox, Sr. moved to introduce the ordinance and Councilperson Dawn Wright-McLeod seconded the motion.
The ordinance was advanced on a roll-call vote in which Councilmembers Wardlow-Hurley, Wilcox and Wright-McLeod were recorded voting in favor; three council members (DeAbreu, Lee and Pollard) were absent. The minutes note that Mayor Rhonda Wardlow-Hurley was recorded as voting "yes" in the meeting record; the minutes also include language indicating the mayor's vote is only considered in certain tally interpretations when absences are treated as negative votes.
The ordinance references N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14 as the statutory authority for exceeding municipal caps and establishing a cap bank. The council did not discuss ordinance specifics or amendments at the meeting; introduction was procedural, and further hearings or formal adoption steps remain to be scheduled.
A resident who spoke during public comment, Ernest Edwards, said "The Mayor is only to vote when there is a tie," a procedural point he raised without receiving a substantive response during the meeting. The council adjourned at 12:13 p.m.; next steps on Ordinance No. 04-2026 were not set on the record.
