Wildwood Crest approves shared-services deal with Stone Harbor despite one council objection

The Wildwood Crest Borough Council voted to approve a shared-services agreement with the Borough of Stone Harbor to perform Uniform Construction Code (UCC) administration and enforcement services, and authorized applying for a Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP) grant to support the effort.

During discussion, one commissioner raised concerns about moving directly into a shared-services arrangement without a prior study and said, "I'm gonna be a no on that," recording a No vote during the roll call. Staff responded that the shared-services option and grant opportunity had been discussed at a prior meeting and that packets and correspondence were distributed. The LEAP grant application passed by roll call.

Council members said the agreement was intended to create efficiencies and that staff would coordinate with the police department and other stakeholders as needed. The motion to adopt the shared-services agreement passed with a recorded tally showing two Yes votes and one No vote among those recorded during the roll call.

Why it matters: Shared-services agreements are commonly used to reduce municipal costs by consolidating administrative functions, but they can raise concerns about service continuity, local control and how displaced work will be managed. The recorded No vote indicates at least one council member prefers a study or further discussion before implementation.

What’s next: Staff will finalize the agreement language, pursue the LEAP grant, and report back to the council with transition and performance details. The council also authorized related grant pursuit to offset transition costs.