TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners introduced the 2025 Ocean County budget March 19 noting the measure addresses the growth in the County while keeping the County property tax rate stable.

Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Frank Sadeghi said Ocean County has seen dramatic increases in its population often leading the state in growth.

"As of right now, our population stands at just over 650,000 residents," Sadeghi said. "Based on projections, you can see that number is expected to increase substantially. I believe our population will hit about a million residents in the not too distant future.

"Now is the time to address this," he said. "Growth is not a bad thing. It brings economic benefits and greater opportunities to the area. We need to address this by increasing services and expanding facilities where we can."

The introduced 2025 Ocean County budget totals $608,759,015, which is an increase over the 2024 budget of $43,714,505. The amount to be raised by taxation is $497,909,182, an increase of $42 million. The amount of surplus used in this budget is $38,500,000.

"I believe this budget addresses our current needs and moves us soundly and decisively into the future," Sadeghi said.

Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners John P. Kelly said the 2025 ratable base is $176.5 billion.

"The ratable base helps us to maintain a stable Ocean County property tax rate at 28.2 cents per $100 of equalized property value," he said.

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for the Board's 4 p.m., April 16 meeting at the Ocean County Administration Building, here. The budget document is available online at www.co.ocean.nj.us.

Sadeghi, during the Board of Commissioners meeting, highlighted several of the capital projects that are part of the 2025 budget. Funding for capital improvements in the budget total is $93,567,306, an increase of $22,319,617.

"These projects address the needs of our educational facilities including the Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools and Ocean County College," he said. "It also provides funding for infrastructure improvements for our roads and bridges and also to help with economic development."

Sadeghi said $25.2 million is being appropriated for the expansion of the MATES academy in Stafford Township which is one of the academies run by the county's vo-tech school system.

"The Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science is a state of the art instructional facility that provides our high schoolers with exceptional opportunities," Sadeghi said. "These students are our future doctors, astronauts, and engineers. We are providing them with the tools they need to succeed."

The budget also includes more than $13 million for renovations to two other vo-tech centers.

"Again, all of this provides opportunity to enter into well-paying careers after high school and we hope these students will stay right here in Ocean County," he said.

More than $6 million will be used at Ocean County College to renovate instructional facilities for dental hygienist programs and radiography and veterinary labs.

Commissioner Jennifier Bacchione, liaison to Ocean County College, emphasized the importance of investing in the future of Ocean County.

"We have to keep up with the needs of a growing county and also stay within our means," she said.

The commissioners are appropriating about $1.2 million for hangars at the Ocean County Airport in Berkeley Township.

"This airport is a great hub for commerce," Sadeghi said.

Two large infrastructure projects in the 2025 budget are improvements to Cross Street in Lakewood a major thoroughfare in that area for $11 million and $12 million will help fund the Route 539 overpass in Plumsted Township which will bring needed safety improvements to everyone using the Joint Base.

"All of these projects, and these are just examples, represent a true investment in the future of Ocean County," Sadeghi said.

The budget includes funding for all essential county services including: Programs for seniors – home delivered meals and outreach – veterans and human services - $9.5 million and an additional $6 million in grants; road improvements that provide safety upgrades for drivers and pedestrians, $27.7 million; social services programs, $19.1 million; parks and recreation, $9.6 million; transportation programs including Ocean Ride, $4.1 million, and an additional $3.1 million in grants and law and public safety, $93.6 million.

"All the beautiful downtowns, beaches, farms, and all the amenities Ocean County has lose value if our residents and visitors are not safe so it's imperative we fund our law enforcement and public safety agencies because their efforts keep us safe," he said.

Kelly said the budget allows the County to maintain its AAA bond rating which enhances the County's long term economic goals.

"The bond rating is key to securing low interest rates when we have to bond for capital projects," Kelly said. "It's a cost saving for the County."

He added every annual County budget meets the state mandated 2 percent cap.

"Every budget continues our conservative and disciplined approach to keeping Ocean County affordable while we also invest in our future," Kelly said.

Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines joined the other Board members in extending her appreciation to Ocean County Chief Financial Officer Julie Tarrant and the County staff for their efforts in preparing the budget.

"This budget enables us to continue to provide the many important services we offer to our citizens and stays within the two percent cap," she said.