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Cape May County tax board elects officers, names records custodian and authorizes administrative policies
Summary
At its May 6 meeting the Cape May County Board of Taxation elected John A. McCann president and Elizabeth A. Barry vice president for 2025–2026, appointed Lori L. Rosell county records custodian under OPRA, and approved administrative measures including use of rubber signature stamps and an expanded educational stipend policy.
The Cape May County Board of Taxation reorganized its leadership and adopted routine administrative policies at a May 6 meeting held in the Old Court House in Cape May Court House.
Why it matters: The reorganization establishes the board's leadership for the 2025–2026 year and sets administrative practices that affect how the board issues judgments, handles public records requests and staffs training activities.
The board conducted its reorganization on a motion after opening the meeting. On a motion by John Snyder, seconded by Lu Ann Wowkanech, the board elected John A. McCann President for the 2025–2026 year; the motion carried. Lu Ann Wowkanech moved, seconded by John Snyder, to elect Elizabeth A. Barry Vice‑President; that motion also carried. The minutes show that Elizabeth Barry earlier moved that Lori L. Rosell be appointed chairperson to conduct the election; that motion was seconded by Lu Ann Wowkanech and carried.
The board adopted Resolution #8 appointing Lori L. Rosell, County Tax Administrator, as records custodian for the 2025–2026 fiscal year to comply with the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). The resolution notes the board offices house public records such as the original tax list and SR1A forms.
Resolution #5 authorizes the County Tax Administrator to employ rubber signature stamps or digital impressions for the signatures of the President and other commissioners on original judgments to expedite administrative functions in the tax appeal process.
Resolution #11 expands the educational stipend policy: funds for overnight stays may be approved if a conference is multi‑day and the distance exceeds a 60‑mile radius from the municipal office or if travel is to another state. The stipend is made available to all Cape May County assessment office staff members, full‑time and part‑time, provided they work solely for a municipal assessment office.
The minutes record approval of the prior meeting's minutes, scheduling of tax appeals for June 3, 2025 at 2 p.m. in the Old Historic Court House, and adjournment motions. The minutes do not include roll‑call vote tallies; actions are recorded as 'moved, seconded and carried.'
What was not decided: The resolutions implement administrative practice changes and personnel appointments; no changes to substantive tax policy or budget appropriations at the county level are recorded beyond the administrative directives.
Next steps: The County Tax Administrator is the point of contact for OPRA requests and will implement the approved signature and stipend policies in administrative practice.
