The Gloucester Board of Supervisors voted to adopt the county’s fiscal year 2026 budget in the amount of $88.4 million last Wednesday, April 30, in the colonial courthouse by a vote of 6-1. Supervisor Phil Bazzani was the sole dissenter.
The board voted to increase the real estate tax rate by 3.1 cents per $100 of assessed value, meaning the 2025 tax rate will be 61.4 cents per $100. The personal property levy will change from $2.95 per $100 of assessed value to $3.10, a 15-cent increase.
As of Wednesday’s vote, the budget will include full funding for the Community Eligibility Provision program/food service support at Gloucester County Public Schools in the amount of $450,000 as a one-time expenditure from the unassigned fund balance.
“There must be some means testing for individuals and families who can afford to pay for lunches,” said Bazzani during the meeting.
“There is a balance somewhere,” continued Bazzani. “But to just allow free lunches for everyone, despite the fact that som...