Brick Mayor Proposes 3.2 Cent Tax Hike, Cites Healthcare and Energy Costs

Brick Municipal Building / Photo: Daniel Nee

Brick Township Mayor Lisa Crate unveiled the township’s 2026 municipal budget Tuesday night, with a proposed 3.2 cent tax increase driven largely by rising healthcare and energy costs, she said.

The proposed spending plan, which was then introduced by the council, would see appropriations rise to $126,243,931, about 2.8 percent higher than the previous year. Crate said the budget increase is generally in line with rising costs over the past 10 years, during which the annual budget averaged just above a 2 percent increase each cycle. Over the decade previous to that period, Crate said, the budget rose by about 5.6 percent, though much of that calculation included the appropriations approved by voters in a 2011 referendum that was presented after former Gov. Chris Christie introduced a spending and levy cap.

Crate said the township was dealing with rising costs “like everyone else,” especially in key areas that tend to be outside of the municipal government’s direct control.

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“The most significant increase this year is health insurance, which has risen more than $2.1 million,” Crate said, adding that the state’s approval of a 20 percent increase in energy costs also affects government agencies themselves.

“That rate increase has also impacted the township,” she said. “Rising costs for gas, diesel, and everyday supplies have placed a strain on our budget, and we are working to manage these strains as much as possible.”

The budget will maintain current levels of police and first responder staffing while continuing to expand the Senior Services division with new transportation options, including the in-demand dialysis transport service. The township’s capital budget – separate from the operating budget – will lean heavily toward road repairs this year, including milling and paving projects in Lion’s Head South, Herbertsville Estates, portions of Riviera Beach and Midstreams, plus sections of Greenbriar, Highland Point, Cedarcroft and Mallard Point. The capital budget will also propose a culvert repair project at Godfrey Lake in the Herbertsville section, plus continue drainage improvement projects around town.

A homeowner with a residence assessed near the township’s average would see an annual increase of $98 on the municipal portion of their property tax bills if the budget is adopted. That increase is not inclusive of any potential increases of the Board of Education of county budget. The municipal budget makes up just over 30 percent of a property owner’s tax bill.

“We understand that any increase matters, and this wasn’t taken lightly,” Crate said. “But it’s necessary to maintain the level of services residents expect while keeping the township on solid financial footing.”

The proposed budget, after Crate’s presentation, was unanimously introduced by the township council. While the council could ultimately reject the budget and demand cuts – or, theoretically, increases – Crate’s fellow Democrats enjoy a 4-3 majority, making final adoption more likely. A detailed budget document will be published on the township’s website and is subject to a public hearing, which by law occurs at least 28 days from Tuesday’s introduction.