Ordinance No. O-4-2026-008

April 7, 2026

 MONROE TOWNSHIP, MIDDLESEX COUNTY

 ORDINANCE NO.: O-4-2026-008

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            WHEREAS, the Local Government Cap Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.1 et seq., provides that in the preparation of its annual budget, a municipality shall limit any increase in said budget 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 Township Council of the Township of Monroe, in the County of Middlesex, finds its 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 Township Council hereby determines that a 1.5% increase in the budget for said year, amounting to $816,818.10 in excess of the increase in final appropriations otherwise permitted by the Local Government Cap Law, is advisable and necessary; and

            WHEREAS, the Township 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 Township Council of the Township of Monroe, in the County of Middlesex, 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 Township of Monroe shall, in accordance with this ordinance and N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14, be increased by 3.5%, amounting to $1,905,908.90, and that the CY 2026 municipal budget for the Township of Monroe be approved and adopted in accordance with this ordinance; and

            BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, 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 five (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.

            BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED This Ordinance shall take effect upon final passage and publication as provided by law.

            SO ORDAINED, as aforesaid.

 NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the foregoing Ordinance was introduced and passed on first reading at a meeting of the Monroe Township Council held on April 6, 2026.  Said Ordinance will again be read and considered for final passage at the next scheduled meeting of the Monroe Township Council to be held on May 4, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Monroe Township Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Township, New Jersey 08831.   At said time and place all persons having an interest in the foregoing Ordinance will be granted an opportunity to be heard concerning the same prior to consideration for final passage by the Council.                                                                          

Christine Robbins, Township Clerk