Millville commission authorizes additional temporary appropriations while 2026 budget is finalized

Commissioners discussed a resolution to authorize additional emergency temporary appropriations so the city can continue operations while finishing the 2026 budget.

Finance staff explained the state’s initial temporary-appropriation guidance allows municipalities to load up to 35% based on the prior year; the proposed supplemental resolution would add funding to reach roughly 60% of last year’s adopted levels for the general fund and the separate utilities. "Comparing to last year's adopted budget, the current fund is about 62% funded," a finance speaker said, and staff listed departmental additions in the draft resolution: current fund + $7,200,000; water + $883,000; sewer + $1,300,000; solid waste + $539,000.

Why it matters: staff said temporary appropriations allow the city to pay payroll, professional services, debt and other mandated costs at the start of the year while awaiting final audited numbers and the unaudited fund balance the state normally provides. Vice Mayor Cott and others asked for clarity about timing and wording; commissioners said they want clearer exhibits that show how numbers were calculated by department and how state rules apply.

Next steps: staff said they are reformatting budget exhibits to make the math per department clear and aim to finish the budget by May (targeting the second meeting), while noting the state sometimes extends filing deadlines. The resolution was discussed in the working session and will return for formal consideration at the commission meeting cycle.