TOWNSHIP OF MORRIS

COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW JERSEY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 16-26

NOTICE is hereby given that the following ordinance was duly introduced and passed upon first reading at a meeting of the Township Committee of the Township of Morris, a municipal corporation of the State of New Jersey (the “Township”), that was held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The ordinance will be further considered for final passage, after public hearing thereon, at a regular meeting of the Governing body to be held at the Municipal Building 50 Woodland Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960 on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 7:00 pm. (in-person and as a courtesy via Zoom) The title and summary of the ordinance is as follows:

ORDINANCE NO.16-26

ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A. 40A: 4-45.14) CALENDAR Year 2026

 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 municipality shall limit any increase in said budget up to 2.0% unless authorized by ordinance 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 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 Township of Morris in the County of Morris 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 1.5% increase in the budget for said year, amounting to $512,752.00 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 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 ORDAINED, by the Township of Morris, in the County of Morris, 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 Morris shall, in accordance with this ordinance and N.J.S.A. 40A: 4-45.14, be increased by 3.5%, amounting to $1,196,421.33 and that the CY 2026 municipal budget for the Township of Morris be approved and adopted in accordance with this ordinance; and, 

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that any 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 5 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 5 days after such adoption.

All correspondence and documents related to this Ordinance are public records. A copy of the Ordinance is available for review on the Township website under Ordinances | Morris Township, NJ - Official Website. Copies are also available for inspection upon request by contacting the Office of the Township Clerk at (973) 326-7430 or via email at clerk@morristwp.com

Suzanne V. Walsh, RMC, CMR
 Morris Township Clerk