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Bridgeton council adopts CY2026 municipal budget; referendum on library to go to voters
Summary
The Bridgeton City Council unanimously adopted the CY2026 municipal budget June 30, 2026, after a public hearing with no speakers. Council President Edward Bethea said a $0.19 increase remains a concern and announced a proposed library referendum will appear on the ballot so residents can choose whether to keep the library open.
The Bridgeton City Council unanimously adopted the city’s CY2026 municipal budget on June 30, voting to approve RESOLUTION NO. 118-26 after a public hearing that drew no public comment.
Councilman J. Curtis Edwards moved to adopt the resolution; Councilwoman Marian King seconded. The clerk called the roll and each councilmember registered a yea vote. The council then opened and closed the public hearing on the budget without any speakers.
Council President Edward Bethea thanked the CFO, administration, council and staff for their work in getting the budget adopted but said "$0.19 is still too high" when discussing the change reflected in the budget. Bethea also said the council does not want to see the library closed and that placing a referendum on the ballot is intended to give residents the choice "to show they want to keep it open or to have it closed." He framed the referendum as a fiscal choice: "either residents will have to continue to pay or look to close and save money."
Council members and staff did not receive substantive public input during the hearing. Councilman Edwards thanked everyone for their work on the budget and said the city should continue to look for additional savings going forward.
The resolution adopting the CY2026 Municipal Budget (RESOLUTION NO. 118-26) passed unanimously on roll call. The meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m.
