Township Committee — April 28, 2026
After a public hearing with one speaker, the Committee adopted the 2026 municipal and golf utility budgets 5-0: $49,773,967.75 in appropriations and a municipal tax rate of $0.246. It authorized estimated third-quarter tax bills, adopted Ordinance #2595, and introduced capital Ordinance #2597 ($6,250,380.00) and easement Ordinance #2596. Four people spoke in all.
- Taxes
- Environment
- Government
Meeting recording
Recording plays on the township archive
This meeting does not play on this page. The township's recording is complete and plays in full on the township's own channel.
What happened
What the record shows
All five members were present: Asay, Hodges, McNally, Tompkins and Mayor Duarte McCarthy. There was no executive session. Every vote below was 5-0 (aye Asay, Hodges, McNally, Tompkins, Duarte McCarthy). The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
The 2026 budget, adopted
CFO McCarthy presented the budget: $49,773,967.75 overall and a municipal tax rate of $0.246. He explained that the township reassesses yearly based on comparable sales, so some neighborhoods may see assessments dip or rise. Committee members thanked staff for keeping costs in line during increased inflation.
At the hearing, Linchun Gao of Constitution Way spoke about the cost of health insurance in the budget.
#2026-0256 adopted the 2026 municipal budget and golf utility budget (motion Tompkins, second Hodges). As printed:
| Revenues | Appropriations | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Surplus anticipated | $16,000,000.00 | Within CAPS (operations incl. contingent) | $32,908,035.20 |
| Miscellaneous revenues | $5,891,605.45 | Excluded from CAPS (operations) | $4,926,974.01 |
| Delinquent tax receipts | $305,000.00 | Capital improvements | $7,149,365.00 |
| Taxes, municipal purposes | $24,315,594.30 | Reserve for uncollected taxes | $4,789,593.54 |
| Taxes, municipal library | $3,261,768.00 | ||
| Total | $49,773,967.75 | Total | $49,773,967.75 |
The golf utility budget is $642,234.88, with revenues equal to appropriations. See budget and taxes.
#2026-0257, on consent, authorized estimated third-quarter 2026 tax bills because the state had not certified its 2026 budget, with the entire estimated 2026 levy (municipal, library, school, county and county open space) set at $160,724,615.48.
Ordinances
- #2595, accepting a riparian zone conservation easement at 34 Cherry Lane: adopted after a hearing with no comments.
- #2596, accepting a detention basin, drainage and access easement at 24 Rocky Lane: introduced, hearing May 12.
- #2597, appropriating $6,250,380.00 for various capital improvements: introduced, hearing May 12.
Resolutions
The consent agenda included:
- #2026-0258, an $18,242.11 change order on the Pleasant Valley Park cricket pitch, to $77,619.65, because the Director of Parks & Recreation found a larger pitch was needed. #2026-0249 declared May 24 Charter Day and permitted the May 16 celebration with street closures. See parks and recreation.
- #2026-0255, a Dodge Durango pursuit vehicle from Fred Beans Ford of Washington, the lower of two bids at $43,422.00, and a retirement commendation and payout for Sgt. Kevin Little after 29 years. See police.
- Building Safety Month and the bill list.
#2026-0254, a service agreement with Finley Real Estate LLC and related owners for use of their premises on Charter Day, was removed from consent at McNally’s request and tabled to May 12, 5-0.
Proclamations recognized Ann C. Smith (former volunteer EMT, animal control officer and crossing guard), Millington Baptist Church’s 175th anniversary and The Ridge Youth Sports Senior Rec cheer team’s national title. Christopher Ayers was appointed a full member of the Liberty Corner Fire Company. The April 14 minutes were approved.
Public comment
Besides the budget hearing speaker, three people spoke in the second period. Todd Edelstein of Riverside Drive congratulated Ann C. Smith and Sgt. Kevin Little and spoke about the budget. Joan Bannan of Patriot Hill Drive voiced support for the Police Department and thanked those who worked on the budget. Nancy D’Andrea of Vanderveer Drive spoke about the need for the cricket pitch and the budget.
Records
- Minutes (township document page)
- Agenda (township document page)
- Video on the township’s YouTube channel. This page follows the Committee’s minutes.