Long Branch council approves $5 million ARPA addition for boardwalk extension; residents ask whether funds are available

On May 13 the Long Branch City Council adopted Ordinance O-08-26 to increase the appropriation for the Boardwalk extension project from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000, citing an additional $5,000,000 from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund).

Vice President Bill Dangler presented the capital ordinance amendment and said it was introduced on April 22; the stated purpose was to add the additional ARPA funds to the appropriation for construction of a pier and supporting amenities.

During the public hearing, residents including Vincent Lepore and Lisonbee Martin questioned whether the $5 million was already in the city's bank account. Martin asked directly, "Do we have that money in the bank?" A council member responded on the record that the city had applied for and received a grant award, that the appropriation ordinance is the mechanism to appropriate that award for the pier project, and that the state will send the funds to the city.

After closing public comment the council moved to adopt O-08-26 on second and final reading; the roll call shows the motion passed with one recusal recorded and the remaining votes recorded as yes.

The ordinance increases the capital appropriation for the Boardwalk extension project and will enable the city to plan and obligate the stated ARPA amount once funds are received and disbursed by the state. Public commenters urged caution and asked for transparency about actual cash on hand and how reallocated funds might affect other projects.

What happens next: the city will proceed to appropriate the award for the pier project; project contracting and any future spending authorizations would follow the appropriation and standard procurement processes.