Atlantic County executive unveils $283 million 2026 budget, touts 2¢ tax-rate cut and $22.5M surplus allocation

County Executive Dennis Levinson presented Atlantic County’s 2026 spending plan on March 3, saying the $283,000,000 budget would use $22,500,000 of surplus and produce a $198,000,000 county tax levy with a 2¢ cut to the general purpose tax rate.

Levinson said the county would apply roughly half of a reported $40,000,000 surplus this year and keep public‑health and library levies flat. He described pay and benefit increases driven by contractual obligations across the county’s 23 bargaining units and said Meadowview and the county Justice Facility each required about $1,000,000 in additional spending to meet contractual operations and youth‑detention obligations.

The message framed the budget in the county’s broader economic strategy. Levinson highlighted the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park (NARTP), noting completion of a second 40,000‑square‑foot building and federal support, and said the county has diversified beyond tourism and gaming after prior casino job losses. He told the commission the county retained top‑tier credit ratings and a 26‑year perfect audit record.

Levinson also addressed larger fiscal and policy items that shape the budget. He cited a recent state recovery of $59,000,000 related to earlier casino litigation and repeated his opposition to a new, permanent casino tax pilot that he said would shift disproportionate burden to Atlantic County taxpayers. He said improved and consistent property assessment practices would reduce the need for local pilots that shift tax burdens.

Asked about staffing and benefits, Levinson said the county faces a 38% average increase in health‑insurance premiums in 2026 and has introduced a new high‑deductible plan option that about 500 employees adopted during open enrollment. He proposed dedicating $200,000 to information technology and continuing investments in AI tools for the Central Municipal Court and emergency assistance systems.

Levinson closed by stressing fiscal prudence and the county’s priorities for the year ahead, saying the budget reflects investments in public safety, core services, and economic development while attempting to limit taxpayer impact. He invited commissioners and the public to ask questions and review final numbers after municipal values are submitted to the county Board of Taxation; the administration indicated further hearings and statutory notifications will follow.

The board proceeded to first‑reading items and consent agenda votes after the presentation; the budget introduction was placed on the agenda for later formal readings and subsequent roll calls as required by county procedure.