Hudson County Executive Craig Guy delivered his 2026 budget address yesterday, presenting a $769,667,257 spending plan with a 9.27 percent increase to the tax levy with varying impacts for each municipality.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
At yesterday’s Hudson County Board of Commissioners caucus meeting, Guy began by thanking them and county staff, including Director of Finance and Administration Cheryl Fuller, Deputy Director John Inagaki, and Hudson County Administrator Abe Antun for organizing the budget.
Without getting into the budget specifics, Guy underscored that the county was heavily impacted by federal and state funding cuts this year, although he is in talks to secure state monies with Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) and state legislators.
“I can appreciate the significance of what we have in this budget and services that will continue to be delivered in spite of some of the cuts that we are receiving, both from federal governments and – quite frankly folks – we don’t know where we’re going to be standing with the state budget,” Guy said.
“We have some things that have been redlined by the governor in the state budget. I have a meeting scheduled in the next 10 days to honor that funding.”
According to Antun the nearly $8 million – $7 million from the New Jersey DCA Housing First Re-entry Pilot Program and $1 million from the New Jersey DCA Housing First Grant- funds the integrity of the licensing at the jail and other re-entry programs.
That also includes housing for individuals that don’t qualify to vote.
Regardless of the lost funding sources, Guy was proud that “Hudson County’s fiscal house is strong.”
According to Guy, the county has a AA bond rating, something he called amongst the “highest quality ratings,” and added that this budget will keep the county on “strong financial footing” to maintain that rating.
“Our high ratings have been useful in assisting Hudson County’s own with debt service savings through our pooled note program, which every town can benefit by,” he said.
However, Guy noted that this was not an easy budget put together amid the aforementioned federal and state funding cuts, along with other financial issues out of the county’s hands.
“Let’s be honest with each other: these budget discussions are tough. We are dealing with numerous financial issues that are challenging, not only to Hudson County, but cities, counties, and states throughout America.”
Guy highlighted that major budget cost drivers include rising costs of employee healthcare benefits premiums as well as the President Donald Trump (R) Administration’s funding cuts to social services.
“But I am not going to back down, and I know this board has a strong backbone to outlast or prevail over some of these federal cuts,” he declared.
According to Guy, this budget continues to fund critical county services and programs that residents depend on despite drastic federal cuts to social services – something he noted the county dealt with last year.
“Over the past year, we’ve seen some of those cuts become a reality,” Guy said.
“Trump’s unnecessary wars have led to the highest prices at the grocery store and the gas station. In November, the Trump Administration cut their SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown. And federal immigration authorities continue to terrorize our communities.”
According to Guy, Hudson County is fighting back and continuing to provide “first rate” services to the most vulnerable residents.
“When the Trump Administration cut SNAP benefits last year, our Department of Aging and Veterans Affairs was there to deliver thousands of meals to our SNAP residents. And they continue to do so on a daily basis.”
Earlier this year, Guy recalled how Hudson County established two committees to communicate between county government, residents, and immigration advocacy organizations, resulting in the county exploring opportunities to involve non-profits in those endeavors through the county budget.
“I’m happy to say, commissioners, with the help of Law Department Deputy Director Reana [Garcia] and Director Alberico [De Pierro], we are exploring significant financial commitments to help immigration as a whole,” he said.
“I look forward to those discussions with our team and the commissioners.”
According to Guy, these are “very real results,” and programs and services that he prioritizes.
“Times are indeed tough, and we will work together with all of our department leadership,” he said.
“We continue to work with our union partners, which is such a big part of Hudson County’s faculty, and civil service to negotiate fair and equitable contracts.”
According to Guy, no employees are being laid off in this “strong, financially responsible” budget, which also meets county pension obligations for police and fire PERS of Hudson County.
“I will make sure my staff and I scrutinize every purchase, every hire, every project to make sure we are prioritizing Hudson County’s taxpayer,” he added.
In conclusion, Guy believes the budget reflects the community’s values including compassion for the most vulnerable, much-needed resources, and services that benefit the community.
“Hudson County does indeed face challenges, but I remain optimistic about our county’s direction. This budget maintains fiscal responsibility while maintaining the same high-quality services our residents have come to expect from our county.”
The budget will be officially introduced tomorrow at the regular commissioner’s meeting.
