The Ocean County Board of Commissioners has recently unveiled its county spending plan for 2023. Commissioner John Kelly stated during a meeting earlier this month that the budget continues the county's conservative and disciplined approach to spending. The 2023 budget is worth $552,420,663, an increase of $72.5 million from the 2022 budget. Kelly explained that the budget includes a $25.4 million allocation from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, as well as an increase in the amount of federal and state grants that the county is receiving. He added that while this money is reflected in the budget, it does not affect the budget since it is money distributed after it is received.
The budget will fund all essential county services, including programs for seniors, veterans, and human services, which will cost $8,797,021. Additionally, Ocean County College will receive $17,318,896, and the Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools will receive $21,746,628. The budget will also provide $44,300,000 for road improvements to provide safety upgrades for drivers and pedestrians. Other programs, such as social services, parks and recreation, transportation programs, and law and public safety, including the Sheriff's Department, Prosecutor's Office, Juvenile Services, and Department of Corrections, will receive a total of $114,698,462.
Commissioner Kelly noted that these programs have a direct effect on the county's residents, and the county is prepared to provide the best services possible. He added that the county property tax rate is the lowest it has been in 10 years, and this is the seventh consecutive year that the county property tax rate has decreased. Under the budget, the county property tax rate is down by 2 cents, bringing the rate to 30.2 cents per $100 of equalized property value. The amount to be raised by taxation is $428,681,650, and the amount of surplus used to support the budget is $38,500,000. The 2023 ratable base is $141.9 billion.
According to Commissioner Gary Quinn, a co-chair of the Ocean County Finance Department, the budget is a document that is worked on throughout the year. Quinn added that it's important to set priorities and keep them within the financial framework of the budget to keep Ocean County affordable for its residents, many of whom are retirees on fixed incomes, but to also provide quality programs and services. Kelly noted that as part of the budget, the Board is planning for 27 capital projects to begin this year at a cost of $166 million, including construction of the courthouse annex, the purchase of new voting machines, and a host of traffic improvements.
Overall, Kelly said the 2023 budget will accomplish the following: county roads and bridges will be maintained and safe; nutritious hot meals will be delivered to seniors; the most vulnerable will be provided for; students will receive a quality education; open space and recreational opportunities can be accessed by everyone; the environment, including Barnegat Bay, will be protected; veterans will be honored and served, and long-range planning will keep the county financially sound. The budget is available for review online at the county's website co.ocean.nj.us. A public hearing is scheduled for 4 p.m. on April 5 in Room 119 of the Ocean County Administration Building, 101 Hooper Avenue, Toms River.
What you need to know:
- Ocean County Board of Commissioners introduced its spending plan for 2023.
- The budget totals $552,420,663, which includes $25.4 million allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act and an increase in federal and state grants.
- The spending plan funds essential county services, including seniors' programs, veterans, human services, road improvements, social services programs, parks and recreation, transportation programs, and law and public safety.
- The County property tax rate is down by 2 cents, bringing the rate to 30.2 cents per $100 of equalized property value.
- The ratable base is $141.9 billion, and the amount to be raised by taxation is $428,681,650.
- The budget allows the county to maintain its AAA bond rating.
- The Board is planning for 27 capital projects to begin this year at a cost of $166 million, including construction of the courthouse annex, purchase of new voting machines, and traffic improvements.
- The 2023 budget will maintain county roads and bridges, provide for seniors, vulnerable individuals, and students, offer open space and recreational opportunities, protect the environment, honor and serve veterans, and keep the county financially sound.
- The budget is available for review online, and a public hearing is scheduled for April 5 in the Ocean County Administration Building.
