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North Caldwell CFO: appropriation-cap overage trimmed but further cuts needed; 1.21% tax-rate increase projected
Summary
CFO Rich Mondelli said the borough’s appropriation-cap overage was reduced from $270,000 to $84,000 after department cuts but additional reductions are required; the proposed budget would result in a 1.21% tax-rate increase and is scheduled for introduction April 28, 2026.
The Borough of North Caldwell’s chief financial officer told the council on April 21 that the municipality is facing an appropriation-cap overage that still requires additional reductions.
"The overage of $270,000 has already been reduced to $84,000 due to cuts made by administration and department heads," CFO Rich Mondelli said, and he confirmed the budget as presented would produce a 1.21% tax-rate increase. Mondelli attributed part of the overage to a prior-year loan from the Current Fund to the Water Utility that counted against the appropriation cap.
Mondelli listed categories where cuts have already been made or proposed, including records disposal, grant-writing services, tax-collection supplies, tax-assessor maps, legal services, turf maintenance, field/court lighting and field equipment. He said the remaining overage will require additional decreases before the budget is introduced to the council; the introduction is scheduled for April 28, 2026.
Council members did not adopt a final budget at the special meeting; the session was used to prioritize departmental five-year plans and identify line items for additional reductions. Borough Administrator Glenn Domenick said departments present five-year plans for council prioritization and that no additional budget meetings had been scheduled at that time.
