Montclair Deputy Township Manager, Handful of Staffers Cut Amid Finance Crunch

August 4, 2026 - 02:33

Montclair has eliminated the position of deputy township manager and trimmed a handful of other staff roles as part of a broader effort to close a budget gap driven by soaring health insurance costs. The move is part of a wider directive requiring nearly every department to reduce spending by about five percent.

Township officials said the cuts were necessary to offset a sharp rise in employee health benefit expenses, which have outpaced revenue growth in recent years. The deputy manager role, which had been in place for several years, was deemed redundant under the current administrative structure. In addition to that position, a few other employees were let go, though officials did not specify which departments were most affected.

The reductions are expected to save a modest amount in the short term, but the larger goal is to reshape the township's spending habits before the next budget cycle. Some department heads have been asked to review their operations for further efficiencies, including delaying equipment purchases and renegotiating service contracts.

The township manager's office said the decisions were not made lightly and that every effort was made to minimize the impact on core services like public safety and road maintenance. Employees who were cut will receive severance and assistance with job placement, according to a statement.

Residents may see some changes in administrative response times, but officials stressed that frontline services will remain unchanged. The township council is expected to review the revised budget in the coming weeks, and further adjustments may follow if revenue projections fall short.