Atlantic County executive outlines 2025 budget plan, Meadowview transition and airport development

Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson on Wednesday delivered the countyexecutivebudget message to the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners, outlining revenue pressures for 2025, a proposed timeline to introduce the county budget on March 4 and several development and service priorities including Meadowview Nursing Home, expansion at Atlantic City International Airport, and litigation over the statecasino pilot program.

Why it matters: Levinson said the county faces higher insurance and health-benefit costs, the end of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding and continuing legal fights that affect county revenues. He presented projected uses of surplus and identified specific projects he says will shape the countybudget and services in 2025.

Levinson opened the message by welcoming new Commissioner Michael Rufus and the board's new legislative counsel, Ken Warren, and said the formal 2025 county budget will be introduced after the governordelivers his state budget message. He said the county will ask commissioners to introduce the county budget on March 4.

On Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Levinson said the county is "pleased to report our proposal to transition our Meadowview Nursing Home facility to a veteran's home that has been well received." He said the county is negotiating protections for staff: "I will not sell this facility unless the buyer, whether it's the VA or private, guarantee 2 years of employment for you and 2 years of medical for you and your family," Levinson said. He also said Meadowview has 180 licensed beds and about 80 occupied beds, and recommended using $800,000 for contract nurses to maintain care while staffing shortages continue.

Levinson described economic development efforts around Atlantic City International Airport and the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park (NARP/NARTP), listing recent tenants — Applied Research Associates, Quazon Inc. and Signature Science — and highlighting a $14.3 million construction project for an aerospace innovation center. He said the county is partnering with Industrial Realty Company LLC on development of roughly 400 acres near the airport for cargo, aircraft maintenance and related uses and expects short-term construction jobs and long-term private-sector employment.

On the casino pilot dispute with the state, Levinson said a 2018 consent agreement and subsequent rulings produced roughly $30 million owed to the county and that appeals and a later 2023 casino pilot amendment have delayed payment. He said Atlantic County taxpayers are owed "approximately 14,100,000" and that the county has spent money pursuing the claim; Levinson urged the countylegislative delegation to press the issue with Trenton.

Levinson also reiterated support for a countywide tax assessment, arguing that unequal municipal assessment practices produce uneven tax burdens and citing Margate as an example of an assessed value far below market that increases others' shares of county taxes. He encouraged municipalities to pursue more accurate reassessments to equalize tax burdens.

Levinson described a continuing gap left by the end of ARP funding, saying some projects that used ARP money will run through December 2026 but no ARP funds can be budgeted in 2025 or beyond. He listed several projects paid with ARP funds including HVAC replacements at county buildings and a $7 million cap on the ACUA landfill intended to mitigate odors.

On county finances, Levinson said general revenues start at about $54,600,000 in his projections, expected to use roughly $19,000,000 of surplus (about 50% of the surplus) this year, and that the proposed county tax levy would be about $188,600,000, with a general-purpose tax decrease of about 1 to 2 cents (final numbers to be set after municipal values are submitted to the county Board of Taxation). He said salary and wages are projected up 3% and that the county will freeze vacancies for at least six months to contain costs.

Levinson described additional cost pressures: a 24% spike in state health benefits premiums in 2023 (he said the state increased benefits by a smaller percentage for state employees), higher jail costs (including a rise in extradition costs), a proposed $300,000 increase for elections tabulation, and other contract and security increases. He said administration and bargaining units continue to negotiate benefit changes and that the county is vetting alternatives with union-management.

Levinson closed by praising county fiscal staff and touting strong bond ratings and audit records as the county prepares the 2025 budget.

Ending note: Levinson said the administration will present the formal budget on March 4 and invited questions from commissioners and the public; commissioners also discussed moving a separate resolution on the ACUA earlier in the agenda because employees were present in the room.