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--- Document: Ord-2026.001: Cap-Intro Document ---
ORDINANCE #2026.001
CALENDAR YEAR 2026 ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET
APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (NJSA 40A: 4-45.14)
WHEREAS, the Local Government Cap Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.1 et seq., provides that in the
preparation of its annual budget, a municipality shall limit any increase in said budget up 2.5%
unless authorized by ordinance to increase it to 3.5% over the previous year’s final
appropriations, subject to certain exceptions; and,
WHEREAS, NJSA 40A:4-45.15a provides that a municipality may, when authorized by
ordinance, 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 Governing Body of the Township of Liberty in the County of Warren 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 Governing Body hereby determines that a 2.5% increase in the budget for said
year, amounting to $33,026.76 in excess of the increase in final appropriations otherwise
permitted by the Local Government Cap Law, is advisable and necessary; and
WHEREAS the Governing Body herby 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.
THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED, by the Governing Body of the Township of Liberty, in the
County of Warren, a majority of the full authorized membership of this Governing Body
affirmatively concurring, that, in the CY 2026 budget year, the final appropriations of the
Township of Liberty shall, in accordance with this ordinance and NJSA 40A:4-45.14, be
increased by 3.5%, amounting to $46,237.47 and that the CY 2026 municipal budget for the
Township of Liberty be approved and adopted in accordance with this ordinance; and,
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, 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; and,
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that a certified copy of this ordinance as introduced be filed
with the Director of the Division of Local Government Services within five days of introduction;
and,
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that a certified copy of this ordinance upon adoption, with the
recorded vote included thereon, be filed with said Director within five days after such adoption.
The foregoing ordinance was introduced with public hearing and passed on the first reading at a
meeting of the Township Committee of the Township of Liberty held on Thursday, January 8,
2026, and will be considered for final passage at a meeting of said Township Committee to be
held on Thursday, February 5, 2026 or thereafter at the Liberty Township Municipal Building,
349 Mountain Lake Road, Great Meadows, New Jersey, at 7:00 PM at which time and place all
persons desiring to be heard thereon will be given full opportunity.
Kelley Smith
Municipal Clerk