Branchburg Township Maintains AAA Credit Rating 22 Years

Branchburg Township adopted its 2025 budget on April 28, retaining a AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor's for the 22nd consecutive year. Only about 1% of municipalities nationwide hold the rating for two decades or longer.

Standard & Poor's also assigned the township an SP-1+ rating on short-term debt, placing Branchburg's obligations above the federal government's sovereign credit rating.

The rating agency cited reserves exceeding 50% of revenues, a wealthy property tax base with incomes well above the national average, and conservative budgeting practices that produced steady surpluses without relying on one-time revenues. Standard & Poor's also noted manageable debt levels and proactive capital planning.

Mayor Thomas Young said the ratings reflect "careful planning, disciplined financial management, and investing in our community's future."

Property tax bills include separate levies for Somerset County and the Board of Education, with rates still unfinalized. The township expects overall property tax increases between 1% and 3% for most residents, below inflation rates of the past five years.

For more information, contact Township Administrator Gregory Bonin at 908-526-1300 or [email protected]. Standard & Poor's ratings report available at www.branchburg.nj.us.