Kenilworth finance office reports strong permit fees; fourth-quarter tax bills mailed

Councilman Morrow delivered the finance department’s report at the Kenilworth Borough Council meeting, saying permit fees collected so far this year were “a very positive development” for the borough’s finances and could increase surplus available for municipal operations.

Morrow explained surplus funds are reserved in municipal budgeting to cover operating expenses between tax payments and to pay routine obligations. He noted the borough must keep surplus on hand to pay bills and salaries and that higher permit-fee receipts will affect that calculation.

The council was told that fourth-quarter property tax bills for 2025 and preliminary 2026 information were recently mailed. The mailing included an insert with a municipal budget snapshot, information on property tax relief programs for eligible senior citizens and Social Security disability recipients, and sign-up information for the Kenilworth Community Notification System (Everbridge).

Councilman Morrow said the deadline to apply for New Jersey property tax relief programs for 2024 is Oct. 31, 2025; the combined application covers the Senior Freeze, the ANCHOR program and other state programs listed in the insert. He encouraged residents with questions to contact the tax office.

No formal council action was required on the finance report, which was informational and followed by departmental business elsewhere on the agenda.