The Burlington County Commissioners adopted a fiscally-responsible 2026 County Budget that continues the board’s commitment to affordability and essential services while also prioritizing investments in county infrastructure and land preservation.

The $281 million spending plan was unanimously approved by the Commissioners on Wednesday, along with the County’s Open Space and Farmland Preservation Tax and Burlington County Library Tax Levy. The budget maintains County services and is expected to extend Burlington County’s record of having the lowest average county tax in the state of New Jersey, along with its credit score near the top of the rating scale.

“Budgets are about values and choices, and this spending plan reflects our steadfast commitment to keep Burlington County affordable,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Dr. Felicia Hopson. “This spending plan supports working families and continues essential services that protect community health, public safety and quality of life. It also makes strategic investments in infrastructure, education and economic development for Burlington County’s future.”

Burlington County has had the lowest average county tax in the state in each of the last seven years, according to property tax data released annually by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

The County’s cost per resident for operations is also projected to remain the lowest in the state at $464 per resident. Among its regional neighbors, Burlington County spends 30% less per resident than Gloucester County, 35% less than Camden County, and 68% less than Ocean County.

“The economic stress impacting households across the nation is also impacting Burlington County. We know residents are feeling pain at gas stations, grocery stores, and from other household expenses. We are feeling that same pain,” said Commissioner Randy Brolo. “Our commitment to keep Burlington County affordable has not changed, and we expect this budget will continue our record of having the lowest average county tax in New Jersey.”

More funds for open space, farmland preservation and Parks enhancements

The budget raises the County’s farmland preservation and open space tax 0.005 cents to 4 cents per $100 of property value. The tax is projected to raise about $28.3 million to fund farmland and open space preservation, parks and trails improvements, along with the numerous art, history, nature, fitness, and cultural programs offered by the Burlington County Park System.

“We have heard residents’ concerns about saving open space and farmland preservation and believe this increase is necessary to give us the resources to successfully preserve more acres of open space and farmland,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel. “It will also allow us to continue to take steps to enhance our County parks, expand our regional trails, and continue to deliver the outstanding parks programming and events residents of all ages love.”

More than 67,000 acres of farmland is already preserved across Burlington County, ranking the county No. 1 in New Jersey and in the Top 10 nationally for acres saved, and the County continues to aggressively target additional acres for preservation.

Last year, the County finalized the preservation of two farms equaling about 197 acres. This year, the County expects to close on the preservation of at least five additional farms totaling close to 770 acres. 

Among the preservation deals the County expects to finalize in 2026 is the Van Wagoner Farm in Springfield. The 285-acre property is adjacent to Arney’s Mount, the highest elevation in Burlington County, and also Arney’s Mount Park. It was previously targeted to become a large housing development.

The County also continues to support other open space acquisitions. One notable preservation is the 835 acres adjacent to the Black Run Preserve in Evesham. The County is partnering with the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, New Jersey Green Acres and Evesham to preserve the environmentally-sensitive property, which will be added to the protected Black Run Preserve.

Enhancements to County parks are also in the works, including updates to the playgrounds and rest rooms at Long Bridge Park in Hainesport to improve accessibility, and engineering/planning for new regional trails across Route 130 to Willingboro and Delran, and 50 miles of possible pathways through Maple Shade, Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Medford, Evesham, Tabernacle and Shamong.

Burlington County Library System funding

Burlington County’s Library tax levy remains unchanged at $14 million and will support the operations of the Burlington County Library System’s Main Branch Library in Westampton, along with its 14 community branches and member libraries. 

The zero-tax increase follows the library system’s switch to a fine-free return policy for most materials in July 2024. Since making the change, the libraries have reported substantial increase in activity, ranging from checkouts of books and other materials from the libraries, digital downloads, new cardholder requests and previously lost book returns.

Renovations were completed this year to the Pemberton Library, and work is underway on major improvements to the Cinnaminson Library. A third renovation project is also expected to start soon at the Evesham Library, and planning is beginning for similar improvements at the Main Branch Library in Westampton.

“It’s an exciting time for the Burlington County library cardholders,” said Burlington County Library Commission Chair Jonathan Chebra. “Going fine-free has eliminated a barrier that prevented many individuals and families from utilizing our libraries, and increased cardholder activity is proof that the policy is working. We are also excited by strategic investments to modernize several library branches to be even greater community resources. With the help of our partners, the Library System is able to undertake many of these changes and continue delivering outstanding library services without asking taxpayers to pay more.”

Delivering essential services

The 2026 budget calls for a $212 million operating tax levy that complies with the New Jersey statutory cap and maintains the County workforce. Total salaries and wages increased $4.6 million, largely from negotiated contract increases or projected ones. The plan also budgets for a $5.6 million increase for worker health benefits and a $756,000 increase in debt service, and a $949,063 increase in the County’s contribution for employee pensions.

More than 24% of the County budget spending is for public safety, including salaries and operations of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Burlington County Sheriff’s Office, Burlington County Corrections Department, County Office of Emergency Management and Central Communications.  About 15% is for insurance, including liability and employee health benefit expenses, and 8% is for Health Department and Human Services operations and programs, including the Hope One and Hope One mobile outreach vehicles, County Office on Aging programs and the County Housing Hub and new Food Hub. 

Approximately 8% is for Public Works, including repairs and maintenance of the County’s more than 500 miles of County highways and 400 bridges. 

The spending plan also maintains the County’s annual support to the Burlington County Institute of Technology, Burlington County Special Services School District and Rowan College at Burlington County.

Responsible fiscal planning

The investments are possible because of sound fiscal planning. This year, the County plans to use $14.5 million of its $34 million fund balance from 2025 to support this year’s spending. County officials still anticipate ending 2026 with more than $28 million in fund balance and reserves. 

Moody’s Investors Services has repeatedly cited Burlington County’s budgeting, cost controls and strong financial management in reports maintaining our outstanding Aa1 credit rating. The agency’s July 2025 credit report also pointed to the County’s economic growth and stable reserves, along with its bench of civil servants and outside professionals. “This, plus a combination of a strong state-wide institutional framework and highly conservative budgeting, has allowed (the) county to not only strengthen its finances but to do so while providing various forms of assistance to its local governments,” the report said.

The Aa1 rating is near the top of Moody’s rating scale and allows the County financial team to negotiate lower interest on its debt, saving the County and by extension property taxpayers thousands of dollars each year.

“From repaving County roads and distributing grants to towns and nonprofit groups for local park improvements, art and history projects, substance use prevention and more, Burlington County has accomplished a lot during the last seven years, and we have more great things planned for the future,” said Hopson. “This budget provides us a blueprint on how to do deliver them responsibly.”