WARREN COUNTY, N.J. — Warren County commissioners have approved a $119.4 million budget for 2026 that reduces the county tax rate for the sixth consecutive year while maintaining investments in public safety, infrastructure and education.
The spending plan, adopted unanimously by the Board of County Commissioners, lowers the equalized tax rate to 49.4 cents per $100 of property value, down from 50.2 cents last year and continuing a steady decline from 62.9 cents in 2020.
Officials said the budget reflects careful financial planning despite rising costs for health insurance, energy and other expenses. The plan also includes no debt service payments after the county paid off its final debt in summer 2025.
Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla said the county continues to navigate financial challenges at the state level.
“We have to keep swimming upstream” in the face of rising energy and health care costs, Ciesla said, adding the county remains focused on practical budgeting decisions. “We keep doing things that we need to do,” Ciesla remarked.
Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski said future budgets may become more difficult as economic pressures persist.
“In the next few years we’re going to be seeing more challenging budgets as the economy continues to fluctuate” with rising costs of energy, housing, and everything else, he said. “The taxpayers are the ones paying the bill,” Sarnoski added, and the County works hard to keep that in mind.
Commissioner James R. Kern III said county government continues to face growing demands.
“A lot is being asked of county government and this board is delivering,” Commissioner James R. Kern III said, noting that the County not only faces the same headwinds as its resident from rising costs, but “the role of what county government is asked to do” is changing.
The budget includes increased funding for the Public Safety Department, Prosecutor’s Office and Sheriff’s Office, along with $2.1 million for upgrades to the county’s 911 emergency communications system.
Commissioners also approved a $13.3 million capital plan, featuring investments in road resurfacing, bridge and culvert improvements, drainage projects and new equipment for public works and transportation services.
In addition, the county will raise the open space tax by 1 cent per $100 of assessed value. Officials said the increase reflects rising land acquisition costs and continued public support for preserving farmland and open space.
The board also adopted a $5.79 million county library budget, maintaining the same tax levy for the third consecutive year, resulting in a slight decrease in the library tax rate.
County officials said the budget balances fiscal responsibility with continued investment in essential services while reducing the burden on taxpayers.
