County adopts $3.5 million capital ordinance for veterans cemetery and Ocean City gateway

The Cape May County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 9 adopted Capital Ordinance Number 3-2025, which provides $3.5 million in funding split between upgrades to the County Veterans Cemetery and a gateway entrance project in Ocean City. The ordinance was on its second reading and received the board’s approval after a public comment period. What the ordinance funds: According to county staff, the ordinance allocates $2.5 million for upgrades at the county’s Veterans Cemetery and $1 million to the City of Ocean City for a Gateway Entrance project. Public questions and process: A member of the public said he was unaware of the projects and sought more detail; county staff and commissioners said the items had been discussed previously and noted the ordinance had been introduced at the Aug. 12 meeting and was now before the board for adoption following the required public comment period. Commissioners explained ordinances are introduced, followed by a public comment window, and then considered for final adoption. Vote and outcome: The board voted to adopt Capital Ordinance Number 3-2025 at the meeting. Adoption was recorded in the minutes and the ordinance will be implemented under county capital procedures. Context: Capital ordinances are the county’s mechanism to authorize funding for long-term projects. The board’s adoption authorizes the county and the City of Ocean City to proceed with planning and use of the allocated funds according to project agreements and standard procurement and contracting procedures. Next steps: County officials said they will provide dates and prior meeting references for members of the public seeking more background and project documents.