Planning Begins For Montclair’s Next Town Budget After ‘Challenging’ Year

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The planning process has already begun for Montclair next municipal budget, and residents are being invited to learn more about the town’s next spending blueprint as it takes shape.

The Montclair Township Council's Finance Committee will host a public meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12 in the council chambers at the Municipal Building, 205 Claremont Avenue.

According to a municipal advisory, the meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to learn about and discuss financial matters such as:

• FY2027 Municipal Budget Planning – Planning and priorities for the township's upcoming municipal budget
• Property Tax Revaluation Process – Discussion of the property tax revaluation process
• Montclair Financial Outlook – An overview of the township's financial outlook

Preliminary administrative budget hearings began Monday. Another public hearing is planned for Monday, Nov. 9; watch video footage here (article continues below):

In New Jersey, local property taxes are mainly composed of three parts: municipal (town), school, and county.

The Montclair Township Council and the Montclair Board of Education passed their 2026 budgets earlier this year. Each spending plan includes a tax increase for local homeowners. An average homeowner will see their municipal taxes rise by $160. The same homeowner will also see a $847 increase to the school portion of their taxes.

Homeowners will also have to reach into their pockets to begin paying for an additional, one-time school tax. Voters approved the tax in March’s special election. The average homeowner will get a $558 bill in 2026, and the remaining $558 will be billed in 2027.

Township Manager Stephen Marks recently penned a letter to taxpayers, reporting that it was a “challenging year” for the local government.

“I don’t think it would shock many people that Montclair has the 13th highest residential property tax burden among 564 municipalities in the state of New Jersey,” Marks wrote.

>> RELATED: Triple-Whammy Tax Hike Lurks For Montclair Homeowners

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