Perth Amboy’s proposed $102.2 million budget heads to public hearing Aug. 12

Perth Amboy’s proposed $102,206,494.24 municipal budget for 2026 would increase the municipal portion of the average assessed homeowner’s property-tax bill by about $213 a year. Residents will be able to comment before the City Council holds a public hearing and considers possible final adoption on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

The hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Perth Amboy City Hall, 260 High Street. The budget remains a proposal unless and until the Council formally adopts it.

Proposal would use less surplus support

Mayor Helmin J. Caba presented the proposed Calendar Year 2026 budget on July 15, according to the city’s budget materials. The official budget notice lists $102,206,494.24 in total general revenues and the same amount in total general appropriations.

The proposal would use $6,342,456.13 in surplus to support the municipal budget, compared with $10,653,591 in the 2025 budget. That is a proposed reduction of about $4.3 million in surplus support, not a final fiscal result before adoption.

The $213 estimate covers only the city share

The city’s budget explanation estimates an annual increase of approximately $213 for the municipal portion of the average assessed homeowner’s property-tax bill. It does not represent the homeowner’s total property-tax increase.

City materials say the municipal portion accounts for approximately 37% of the projected overall increase in the average property-tax bill. The remaining portions are attributed to other taxing entities, including the school district, Middlesex County, the library and County Open Space.

That distinction matters because a property-tax bill combines charges from multiple local government and public-service entities. The proposed Perth Amboy municipal budget addresses the city’s portion only.

Public comment comes before possible adoption

The City Clerk’s legal-notice page lists the Aug. 12 public hearing and says the Council will consider final adoption of the proposed Calendar Year 2026 Municipal Budget. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 260 High Street.

Residents can use the hearing to raise questions or objections before the Council acts. The city encourages residents to review the proposed budget documents in advance, but the tax estimate and surplus figures remain subject to the budget process.

For Perth Amboy homeowners, the key figures are the proposed $213 annual increase in the municipal tax share for the average assessed home and the reduction in proposed surplus support from the 2025 plan. Neither figure should be treated as final until the Council completes its consideration.

Sources

• Mayor Helmin J. Caba’s CY2026 Budget Message