County seeks state change to aid formula to weight seasonal population and road types

Cape May County engineering staff told commissioners Tuesday they are collaborating with the county chamber and local legislators to propose a statutory change to the State County Aid Funding Program formula to account for the county’s seasonal population and road characteristics.

Engineer Mr. Church said the current funding formula, which relies on full‑time population and county road miles, disadvantages Cape May County because it becomes the second most populated county in New Jersey for four months of the year and many county roads are in flood zones or serve as emergency evacuation routes. The proposed revision would seek a weighted annual population metric and differentiate between types of roads.

Mr. Church said the legislation is being sponsored by Assemblymen McClellan and Simonsen and the county hopes the bill will be voted on early next year. Commissioners expressed support for pursuing the change and noted coordination with the Chamber of Commerce and local legislators.

The discussion was informational; no formal county action or ordinance was taken during the meeting. Staff work with legislative sponsors and stakeholder groups will continue.