Ordinance to increase Burlington's 2026 budget by 3.5% for municipal services.

NOTICE
CITY OF BURLINGTON
 
ORDINANCE NO. 05-2026
 
Title: CALENDAR YEAR 2026 ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A. 40A: 4-45.14)
 
WHEREAS, the Local Government Cap Law, N.J.S. 40A: 4-45.1 et seq., provides that in the preparation of its annual budget, a municipality shall limit any increase in said budget up to 2.0% unless authorized by ordinance to increase it to 3.5% over the previous year's final appropriations, subject to certain exceptions; and,
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A: 4-45.15a provides that a municipality may, when authorized by ordinance, appropriate the difference between the amount of its actual final appropriation and the 3.5% percentage rate as an exception to its final appropriations in either of the next two succeeding years; and,
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Burlington in the County of Burlington finds it advisable and necessary to increase its CY 2026 budget by up to 3.5% over the previous year's final appropriations, in the interest of promoting the health, safety and welfare of the citizens; and,
WHEREAS, the Common Council hereby determines that a 1.5% increase in the budget for said year, amounting to $277,371.14 in excess of the increase in final appropriations otherwise permitted by the Local Government Cap Law, is advisable and necessary; and,
WHEREAS, the Common Council hereby determines that any amount authorized hereinabove that is not appropriated as part of the final budget shall be retained as an exception to final appropriation in either of the next two succeeding years.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED, by the Common Council of the City of Burlington, in the County of Burlington, a majority of the full authorized membership of this governing body affirmatively concurring, that, in the CY 2026 budget year, the final appropriations of the City of Burlington shall, in accordance with this ordinance and N.J.S.A. 40A: 4-45.14, be increased by 3.5%, amounting to $647,199.33, and that the CY 2026 municipal budget for the City of Burlington be approved and adopted in accordance with this ordinance; and,
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that any that any amount authorized hereinabove that is not appropriated as part of the final budget shall be retained as an exception to final appropriation in either of the next two succeeding years; and,
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that a certified copy of this ordinance as introduced be filed with the Director of the Division of Local Government Services within 5 days of introduction; and,
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that a certified copy of this ordinance upon adoption, with the recorded vote included thereon, be filed with said Director within 5 days after such adoption.
The foregoing Ordinance was introduced at a Regular Meeting of the Common Council of the City of Burlington held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, and was read for the first time.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that this ordinance will further be considered for final passage by the Common Council of the City of Burlington at a meeting to be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, beginning at 7:00 PM, at the City Hall Building, 525 High Street, Burlington, New Jersey. All persons interested will be given the opportunity to be heard concerning such ordinance.
A copy of the ordinance can be obtained without cost from the Office of the Municipal Clerk. Anyone in need of special accommodations or access due to disability, should contact the Municipal Clerk's Office at (609)386-0200 x101, prior to the meeting.
 
Cindy A. Crivaro, RMC
Municipal Clerk
 
March 6, 2026 ($56.94)