Red Bank council approves local passport service ordinance

The Red Bank Borough Council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2026‑07 on final reading, authorizing the borough clerk to provide passport application services and to establish the associated fees.

Mayor Portman read the ordinance and opened a brief public hearing before the council moved to approve the measure on final reading. The motion to approve was made and seconded; the clerk called the roll and every member present voted in favor, producing a unanimous approval.

The ordinance adds a new Chapter 99 to the borough code to permit passport-processing services at Borough Hall and to set the fees for those services. Supporters noted the convenience of obtaining passport services locally rather than traveling to a regional office.

The approval came without amendment; Mayor Portman closed the public hearing after no members of the public raised questions. The ordinance was adopted on final reading and will be implemented by the borough clerk’s office under the fee schedule established in the ordinance.

Councilors did not raise separate amendments or conditions at the final-reading vote. The council proceeded to other business after the adoption.