Bayonne Council adopts amended 2026 municipal budget after brief public hearing

The Bayonne Municipal Council voted unanimously on June 17 to adopt amendments to the citys 2026 municipal budget, closing a public hearing after residents urged the council to delay action until a newly elected administration takes office.

The adopted changes adjust anticipated surplus and several revenue and appropriation line items. Council members and staff read a series of line-item revisions into the record, including an increase in anticipated surplus from $12,100,000 to $12,375,000 and adjustments to shared-service revenues and debt service. City officials said the amendments preserve payroll and contract obligations.

At the public hearing, resident Janice Maddis urged the council to "table the budget until the new administration comes in" because the incoming leadership might find additional cuts. Michael O'Connor, another resident, told the council it would be possible for a future administration to amend the budget after adoption but said there are practical and regulatory obstacles to postponing action now.

City law director Donna Russo told the council that, absent an emergency or material change in circumstances, the sitting governing body is responsible and has sufficient information to act. Council members discussed the risk of missing statutory deadlines, including state review and the mailing of tax bills, and the potential for fines if the council failed to adopt a budget on time.

Councilman Booker said his intention was to vote "no" if the budget contained a tax increase without meaningful measures to help working households, but later said he would vote yes to ensure continuity for salaries and city services. After debate, the council closed the hearing and voted to adopt the amendment; the meeting transcript records affirmative votes from Mr. Booker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Perez, Ms. Weemer and Mr. La Pelusa.

The councils adoption means the city can proceed with estimated tax bills and maintain continuity for payroll and municipal services. Officials also noted that any future administration retains the ability to propose changes through the statutory amendment and public-hearing process.

The council scheduled no further hearings on this amendment; state certification and administrative steps will follow according to municipal finance procedures.