East Brunswick Proposed Budget Keeps Tax Hike Under 1%, Final Vote May 11

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — The East Brunswick Council unanimously approved an amendment to its proposed 2026 municipal budget on Monday, holding the township tax increase to just under 1 percent after council members asked department heads to reduce an earlier proposal that would have raised taxes by approximately 3 percent.

The amended budget totals $89,410,071.66 — up from $81,849,219.31 in 2025 — with $44,012,350 to be raised by taxation for municipal purposes and $3,697,062 set aside for the library levy. The overall tax increase came in at 0.9898 percent, which officials said is consistent with where the township has held increases for roughly the past eight years.

"It was very important to this town council and to our mayor to make sure that our budget amounts came in as low as possible," Council President Zimbicki said. "We were looking, I guess it was a month ago now, at about a 3 percent, budget increase, and we asked everybody to go back and sharpen their pencils."

The council praised Chief Financial Officer Angel Albanese and her department for the work required to bring the number down.

The amendment reduces the amount to be raised by taxation by $875,448.44 by identifying new revenue sources. Anticipated surplus was increased by $483,000, from $8,070,000 to $8,553,000. Municipal court revenue projections were raised by $100,000, interest on investments and deposits by $200,000, and PILOT payments by $125,000. Total appropriations remain unchanged at $89,410,071.66.

Year over year, operating expenses reflect significant increases. Salaries and wages rose from $24,848,388 to $26,594,961, while other operating expenses climbed from $28,142,009 to $30,262,052. Debt service jumped sharply, from $13,939,214 in 2025 to $18,527,222 in 2026. The township's total employee count also rose, from 316 to 465.

Among the cost pressures discussed at the public hearing, the township's garbage and recycling collection contract rose by $480,000. Health insurance costs increased 14 percent.

The township also absorbed approximately $1 million in tax appeal refunds stemming from the mall's successful challenge of its 2019 and 2020 assessments, with the township responsible for its roughly 21 to 22 percent share, approximately $200,000, without reimbursement from the county, fire districts or school district. Additional appeals covering more recent years remain in tax court.

The budget also reflects growth in the pool utility deficit, which increased from $600,000 to $630,000 under the amendment. The pool utility is carrying no operating surplus, down from $51,930.15, with the general budget absorbing the full deficit.

The parking utility continues to run at a deficit, with the general budget absorbing $1,363,800 in 2026, up from $1,785,014 in 2025 as revenues have improved slightly. Officials attributed the ongoing shortfall to reduced commuter parking demand since the COVID-19 pandemic and said a full recovery depends on a broader return to in-person work.

“Maybe working on a long term solution with New Jersey Transit to use our lots, it would solve a traffic issue, and it would help us with our decks, but they're not there yet,” Mayor Brad Cohen said.

A public hearing on the budget has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. May 11, at Township Council Chambers. The budget is advertised on the township website.

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