Jackson Mayor Jennifer Kuhn announced today that the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has signed off on the township’s 2026 municipal budget, which includes zero percent tax increase.

The approval comes after several contentious Township Council meetings in which political opponents running against Kuhn claimed the state had significant concerns with the proposed budget and suggested that DCA could ultimately reject it.

Those concerns did not materialize.

With DCA’s approval, Kuhn is touting the budget as evidence that the township was able to maintain its financial plan without increasing the municipal tax levy.

“This budget demonstrates that we can continue to provide the services our residents expect while being responsible with taxpayer dollars,” Kuhn told TLS.

Kuhn also emphasized an important distinction for Jackson residents reviewing their property-tax bills. While residents may see an increase in their overall property taxes, those increases are not coming from the township’s 2026 municipal budget.

According to the mayor, any additional taxes residents face are attributable to increases approved by other taxing entities, including the Jackson Township Board of Education and local fire districts.

The DCA approval also provides a direct response to claims made during the recent political debate over the budget. Rather than being rejected or sent back over major deficiencies, the township’s 2026 budget received the necessary state approval.

For Kuhn, the approval represents a validation of the township’s approach to municipal finances and a clear distinction between the municipal tax rate and the taxes levied by other local government entities.

With the 2026 municipal budget now approved, the township can move forward with its spending plan while continuing to face the broader challenge of controlling the total property-tax burden on Jackson homeowners.