Council debates last-minute budget amendments as Resolution 26-193 is introduced

Council members opened discussion on Resolution 26-193, the borough’s 2026 budget, but the meeting turned into an extended debate over a series of late amendments and shifting surplus numbers.

“During my detailed review... I discovered that there was an amendment to the budget, which I was then provided on May 12,” said the council member identified in the transcript as the chair of finance, describing a sequence of different surplus figures presented at multiple meetings. He continued: “How can you possibly expect us to pass this without having any prior knowledge?” The council member listed the progression of surplus numbers recorded in the documents presented to the council and said the repeated changes blocked meaningful review.

Municipal officials and other council members responded that the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) had required changes during its review and that some reclassifications (for example, vehicle leases moved from capital to operating funds) produced notable operating-fund increases. One council speaker summarized the staff account: “The DCA ultimately has the final say and changes are made so the government body can pass the budget.”

Opposition members called for written explanations and raised procedural concerns about how the two amendments were presented and labeled. One council member accused the presentation as “political posturing” and asked for a formal written response from the CFO, business administrator or borough attorney before the next meeting.

No final adoption vote on Resolution 26-193 was recorded in the provided transcript. Councilors moved procedural motions and the item remained under discussion, with members requesting clearer, dated documentation of each amendment and the reasons for changes before any final vote.