East Rutherford adopts $34.15 million 2026 municipal budget; municipal levy set at $14.31 million

The Borough of East Rutherford’s Mayor and Council adopted the 2026 municipal budget on June 16, approving total general appropriations of $34,147,624.53 and a municipal tax levy of $14,310,209.03.

Mayor Jeffrey Lahullier, who opened the public hearing and introduced Auditor Paul W. Garbarini for questions, said the budget was submitted for hearing and adoption at the meeting; no members of the public addressed the hearing before the council closed public comment and moved to adopt the resolution.

The adopted budget lists anticipated revenues of $18,861,233.16 and the amount to be raised by taxes for municipal and library support at $15,286,391.37 (the $15.29 million figure includes a minimum library tax of $976,182.34). The dedicated sewer utility budget shows total appropriations and anticipated revenues of $2,861,000.00.

The revenue sections name significant local receipts. The budget lists a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) from the NJ Sports & Exposition Authority / American Dream of $10,050,000.00 among the municipality’s local revenues, and budget notes enumerate multiple state and federal grants earmarked in Section F (public-safety and community grants) and dedicated Uniform Construction Code fees that offset specific appropriations.

The capital program included in the budget proposes $3,380,000 in total capital projects for 2026, with a $141,800 appropriation from the Capital Improvement Fund in 2026 and projects including annual road resurfacing, park and field improvements, facility upgrades and equipment purchases (packer truck, Tahoe, police and fire equipment).

Clerk Danielle Lorenc certified the adoption language and the record shows the council approved the budget during the meeting. The meeting minutes record that the budget was adopted as submitted to the governing body and the necessary certifications were completed.