What’s The Status Of West Orange Town Budget? We Don’t Know, Council Members Say

WEST ORANGE, NJ — What’s the status of the latest town budget proposal in West Orange? That’s a good question – and one they can’t answer, two council members say.

On Monday, Joe Krakoviak posted a message about the municipal budget, sharing an email he sent to Mayor Susan McCartney, her administration and other council members.

“For residents rightfully asking the whereabouts and status of the mayor’s proposed 2026 budget, [the] council continues to try to get answers,” Krakoviak wrote.

“This must stop,” he added.

Krakoviak said the council didn’t receive the draft budget until the middle of April last year – which contributed to a process that pushed adoption until near the end of the year. Council members were threatened by state regulators with personal fines as sanctions for missing state budget timelines, he said.

“Most unfortunately, however, the same disappointing situation appears to be unfolding this year,” Krakoviak continued. “[The] council has received minimal communication explaining the delay – just like last year -- with no 2026 budget as of yet and no authority that I know of that the council can employ to speed delivery or accountability.”

“This is no way for a municipal government to operate in what is perhaps its most important obligation – other than to provide safety – to prudently manage the township’s resources, especially taxpayer dollars, for the maximum benefit of residents,” he added.

Krakoviak isn’t the only West Orange town council member that has been looking for a budget update.

Last month, Joyce Rudin mentioned the budget in her monthly blog post, noting that the council is still waiting for the mayor to present the 2026 budget.

Rudin pointed to the township’s whopping $170 million municipal debt, which is taking up nearly 13 percent of its budget for debt payments. It’s a situation that needs to be addressed – and soon, she said.

“That is money that should be spent on services and programs for residents,” she said.

• Related: West Orange Is $171 Million In Debt, Town Hears Plan To Fix Financial Woes
• Related: Average West Orange Property Tax Tops $16K: See Latest 5-Year Breakdown

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