COURT HOUSE – The Middle Township Committee is taking advantage of extended deadlines offered by the state for the completion of the 2025 town budget.

The governing body has also increased the funds in the temporary budget to provide for normal operations while the final budget is being completed.

In the temporary budget resolution the committee on March 17 raised the total amount available in the current fund from $6.8 million to $12 million. It also raised the bottom line of the temporary budget for the sewer utility from $1 million to $2 million.

State rules govern how temporary budgets are structured and the maximum amounts allocated to them.

The state also sets the schedule for adoption of a municipal budget, but it can extend those deadlines, as it did this year. That action often reflects difficulties in Trenton in settling on a state budget, which in turn impacts state aid to the municipalities.

The budget schedule for 2025 moved the deadline for introduction of a budget from Feb. 10 to March 31, and for adoption from March 20 to April 30. Middle’s resolution formally allows the township to avail itself of the extended deadlines.

Taking advantage of an extended deadline can be an attractive option for municipalities: More time often means more certainty about external factors that can affect both income and expense.

Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.