Resolution To Exceed The County Budget Appropriation Limits And To Establish A 2026 Cap Bank (N.J.S.A. 40a:4-45.14) - First Reading
Whereas, the Local Government Cap Law, N.J.S. 40A:4-45.1 et seq., provides that in the preparation of its annual budget, a county shall limit any increase in said budget to 2% unless authorized by resolution to increase it to 3.5% over the previous year’s final appropriations, subject to certain exceptions; and
Whereas, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.15a provides that a county may, when authorized by resolution, appropriate the difference between the amount of its actual final appropriation and the 3.5% percentage rate as an exception to its final appropriations in either of the next two succeeding years; and
Whereas, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Atlantic finds it advisable and necessary to increase its CY 2026 budget by up to 3.5% over the previous year’s final appropriations, in the interest of promoting the health, safety and welfare of the citizens; and
Whereas, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Atlantic hereby determines that a 3.5% increase in the budget for said year, amounting to $5,051,955.37 in excess of the increase in final appropriations otherwise permitted by the Local Government Cap Law, is advisable and necessary; and
Whereas, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Atlantic hereby determines that any amount authorized hereinabove that is not appropriated as part of the final budget shall be retained as an exception to final appropriation in either of the next two succeeding years.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Atlantic, a majority of the full authorized membership of this governing body affirmatively concurring, that, in the CY 2026 budget year, the difference between the 2% increase and the 3.5% increase as limited by N.J.S.A 40A:4-45.15 of $2,165,123.73 be and is hereby retained as an exception to final appropriation in either of the next two succeeding years and that the CY 2026 County budget for the County of Atlantic be approved and adopted in accordance with this ordinance; and
Be It Further Resolved that the said summary budget will be published in The Press in the issue of March 17, 2026 and on the Atlantic County Government website, atlanticcountynj.gov.
Be It Further Resolved that a hearing on the budget and tax resolution will be held at the County Complex, Stillwater Building, 201 South Shore Road, Northfield, NJ, on the 31st day of March, 2026 at 4:00 P.M.,(said meeting also livestreamed at https://www.atlanticcountynj.gov), at which time and place comments to the said CAP Bank Resolution for the year 2026 may by presented by taxpayers and other interested parties.
Be It Further Resolved that a certified copy of this resolution as introduced be filed with the Director of the Division of Local Government Services within 5 days of introduction.