We promptly received the 2026 budget packet from New Providence which helps round out the budget analysis we started last week. This final piece helps complete the picture we began in our April 8 article. The top-line numbers are the same but we now have greater clarity on where some of the pressure pushing the budget up is coming from.
Looking at this 20-indicator set we see that operating lines are up, group health is up, and debt service takes a major jump in 2026. Outside of the indicators and within the budget documents you’ll find softer revenue streams are dropping – especially grants. Looking at the whole thing, the pattern looks less like a temporary spike and more like something structural.
General Government
Administrative & Executive – Salaries & Wages
2024 ACFR actual: $618,780.55
2025 adopted: $594,166.00
2026 introduced: $608,659.00
Administrative & Executive – Other Expenses
2024 ACFR actual: $287,692.88
2025 adopted: $339,168.00
2026 introduced: $342,168.00
Municipal Clerk – Other Expenses
2024 ACFR actual: $18,683.76
2025 adopted: $35,500.00
2026 introduced: $35,500.00
Financial Administration – Salaries & Wages
2024 ACFR actual: $147,807.91
2025 adopted: $134,395.00
2026 introduced: $138,275.00
Financial Administration – Other Expenses
2024 ACFR actual: $9,690.10
2025 adopted: $19,500.00
2026 introduced: $19,500.00
Auditing and Accounting Services
2024 ACFR actual: $44,200.00
2025 adopted: $46,350.00
2026 introduced: $46,350.00
Assessment of Taxes – Salaries & Wages
2024 ACFR actual: $58,244.17
2025 adopted: $115,350.00
2026 introduced: $136,350.00
Assessment of Taxes – Other Expenses
2024 ACFR actual: $44,788.50
2025 adopted: $81,300.00
2026 introduced: $81,300.00
Public Works and Insurance
Public Works – Salaries & Wages
2024 ACFR actual: $1,149,845.58
2025 adopted: $1,231,688.00
2026 introduced: $1,269,113.00
Public Works – Other Expenses
2024 ACFR actual: $24,865.67
2025 adopted: $36,000.00
2026 introduced: $36,000.00
General Liability
2024 ACFR actual: $679,704.00
2025 adopted: $703,494.00
2026 introduced: $867,263.00
Employee Group Health
2024 ACFR actual: $1,093,271.17
2025 adopted: $1,467,854.00
2026 introduced: $1,541,351.00
Health Benefit Waiver
2024 ACFR actual: $55,863.28
2025 adopted: $60,000.00
2026 introduced: $60,000.00
Public Safety
Police – Salaries & Wages
2024 ACFR actual: $3,821,976.45
2025 adopted: $3,914,913.00
2026 introduced: $3,965,944.00
Police – Other Expenses
2024 ACFR actual: $225,420.03
2025 adopted: $314,079.00
2026 introduced: $380,079.00
Fire – Other Expenses
2024 ACFR actual: $129,290.95
2025 adopted: $138,500.00
2026 introduced: $141,000.00
Uniform Fire Safety Act – Salaries & Wages
2024 ACFR actual: $44,787.96
2025 adopted: $45,684.00
2026 introduced: $53,880.00
Uniform Fire Safety Act – Other Expenses
2024 ACFR actual: $3,800.15
2025 adopted: $4,000.00
2026 introduced: $4,000.00
Capital and Debt
Debt Service
2024 ACFR actual: $2,646,314.99
2025 adopted: $2,640,915.00
2026 introduced: $3,872,587.00
Capital Program Total
2025 adopted capital plan: $22,940,651.00
2026 proposed capital plan: $15,109,946.00
Read More : The 21st District Face-Off: How Seven Towns Stack Up on Per-Household Spending
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