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Council tables ordinance to strip health benefits from MUA commissioners amid sharp exchanges
Summary
A proposal to eliminate health insurance for Municipal Utilities Authority members was added to the agenda, prompted a heated exchange between the mayor and council members over authority and fairness, and was tabled indefinitely after a council vote.
Council members voted to table indefinitely an ordinance that would eliminate health benefits for members of the Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) after an abrupt and contentious debate.
The measure, presented as an amendment to chapter 71 establishing statutory boards and commissions, drew immediate criticism from a member who called the MUA’s full-family health policies "outrageous" for officials who meet briefly once a month. That speaker argued these are expensive benefits — calling them the equivalent of "$40,000 a year" for a full-family policy — and urged the council to rescind them.
Other council members and commenters pushed back, saying the township does not directly control the MUA budget in the way characterized and noting the MUA returns money to the township. One council member argued the council is not authorized to take benefits away from MUA commissioners because those benefits come from the MUA budget; another called the accusation that the mayor was "stealing taxpayers' money" inappropriate.
After discussion the council moved and seconded a motion to table the ordinance indefinitely. Roll-call votes recorded several 'yes' votes on tabling, two 'no' votes and at least one abstention. The council president requested to vote last and was recorded voting yes. The ordinance remains on the table and may be revisited at a future meeting.
Council debate included procedural and legal warnings: one speaker cautioned that the state has increased scrutiny of full-time benefits for part-time elected or appointed officials and urged a future review of MUA and council benefits for compliance.
The tabling means no immediate change to MUA commissioners' benefit status; council members signaled they may pursue separate conversations about MUA oversight and possible code or ordinance clarifications.
The council did not adopt a separate motion to direct staff to take immediate action; instead the item remains postponed.
