Borough Council Approves Introduction of 2026 Budget by 4-2 Vote

ROSELLE, NJ – After a lengthy debate and much deliberation, the Borough of Roselle Council approved the introduction of the 2026 budget by a vote of 4-2 during the regular meeting on April 29.The budget includes $61 million in total appropriation with a 3.7% tax levy increase for Roselle residents, resulting in a $259.04 annual increase in taxes versus 2025. The heightened tax levy is due to increased costs in areas like health insurance, pension contributions, and infrastructure costs.The two votes in opposition to the introduction, Councilwoman-At-Large Cynthia Johnson and Second Ward Councilmember Brandon Bernier, have issues with both the content of the budget and with the process and speed at which the council is moving forward with the resolution. Roselle has yet to complete a 2025 annual financial statement as is custom before the following year's budget introduction.The budget also pulls from the borough's savings to “artificially keep the tax levy lower than it otherwise should be,” according to Mr. Bernier. If the borough continues to pull money out of its savings, there could be steep cuts in the future or a significant municipal tax increase to cover the increase in fixed costs year over year.“This is the most abnormal budget process we have ever been through,” Mr. Bernier said. “There were no lengthy discussions about what different departments want to do, we were never sent the departmental request forms... Instead, we were handed a budget on Friday night and told we have to introduce and adopt it. That is absurd.”The promptness in the introduction of the budget, as alleged by councilmember Bernier, is due to Roselle’s past of receiving fines levied by the state’s Division of Local Government Services. Two years ago, members of the Roselle council, including Fourth Ward Councilmember and council president, Cindy Thomas, received fines of $25 a day in accordance with the state’s Local Budget Law, after not introducing or approving a budget for the borough. The four affirmative votes did so largely to avoid that conundrum again this year, with the state updating the statute to $100 a day for noncompliance with budgeting laws.“I was one of those who was penalized last year at $25 a day,” Ms. Thomas noted. “I received a letter and the letter said introduction. It did not say adoption, it said introduction. I am agreeing to go on with this introduction this evening. I am asking my colleagues to approve of the introduction of this budget. It can be changed. It can be amended. That was confirmed by the state this morning and by our auditors.”In addition to avoiding daily fines, the voting bloc that approved the resolution alluded to the fact that the council was merely introducing the 2026 annual budget. With its passage, the council has time to make any changes or amendments that they see fit before voting on its final approval.“Why gamble with that if we don’t need to,” Fifth Ward Councilmember Rosetta McCamery stated, referencing the possibility of the council being fined. “If all we are doing tonight is introducing the budget, we can always come back and make whatever changes we need to make. It is not something that we are finalizing right now, and we clearly understand that. That has been communicated very well. I am not paying $100 on account of refusal.”Despite the hastiness of the introduction process and the opportunity to make any necessary changes, councilmember Bernier is not convinced. To date, Roselle has not received any notice from the state that they are at risk of being fined and, as the second ward councilmember sees it, there is no need to be introducing the budget without the traditional process.“I get it, no one here wants to be fined, but they are not even threatening to fine us at this point,” Bernier exclaimed. “We are essentially telling each other that to force folks into this high-leverage sales kind of thing that you got to do it today or else. That or else is not even in the vicinity right now.”The budget hearing on final passage will be on June 24 with the opportunity to adopt or make needed changes beforehand.