Seaside Park council adopts amended 2025 budget, adds marina and stormwater capital items

The Borough of Seaside Park on Aug. 21 adopted an amendment to its 2025 municipal budget and then adopted the full 2025 municipal budget after a public hearing and roll‑call votes.

Clerk Jenna Jenowski read Resolution 2025‑291 into the record under the authority of N.J.S.A. 40A:4‑9, detailing revenue and appropriation changes. The amendment increased projected beach badge revenue to $1,938,000 and added several grant awards and programs, including an Ocean County pumpout vessel program ($70,000), a local recreation improvement grant ($90,000), a recycling tonnage grant, a prior NJDOT grant for the Bayview Phase 2 project (about $222,645), Clean Communities funds ($13,713.80) and a $10,000 community energy plan grant. The borough also moved its local share of American Rescue Plan funds listed earlier ($134,751.79) to $0 in the amended figures. Water‑utility dedicated revenue from elevated‑tank leases was increased from $150,000 to $415,679.34, with corresponding adjustments to utility debt service and loan payments.

Mayor Pearson thanked CFO Jamie Coulson and staff for preparing the amendment. With no public comment at the hearing, Council Member Craft moved to adopt the amendment; Council Member Connor seconded and the motion carried on roll call. The council then moved to adopt the 2025 municipal budget (motion by Council Member Condos, second by Council Member Rotunda); the adoption passed by roll call.

The council also amended the capital budget to add bond ordinance 2025‑15 and capital ordinance 2025‑13 to finance marina capital improvements and acquisitions, including roadway reconstruction on J Street to improve drainage and upgrades to marina storm‑drainage and security cameras. Several ordinance introductions followed as first readings: Ordinance 2025‑19 (acquisition of stormwater maintenance equipment, $1.7 million appropriation), Ordinance 2025‑20 (K Street stormwater system replacement, $875,000), Ordinance 2025‑21 (well rehabilitation, $50,000), Ordinance 2025‑22 (amendments to rental‑property penalties, increasing the penalty range to a minimum of $500 up to $2,000) and Ordinance 2025‑23 (amending mercantile licenses). All were introduced on first reading and approved for proceeding.

Council approved authorizations for community events on a consent agenda — including an American Angler Association fishing tournament (Oct. 12; rain date Oct. 19), a local 5K (Sept. 20), a CR Foundation food‑truck and wine festival (Oct. 4; rain date Oct. 5) and recurring Seaside Park Historical Society meetings — subject to usual conditions (county permits, insurance certificates, and assurances that beach access will not be restricted). The council also approved routine administrative resolutions — payroll/claims, adoption of a revised employee handbook, an equipment purchase for public works (a 2026 Ford F‑250), professional services for well rehabilitation, and other municipal authorizations — as a consent agenda by roll call.

Council members credited the improved availability‑of‑funds certificates for streamlining the review of expenditures and thanked staff for their work on budget and procurement items. The budget amendment and budget adoption are effective as enacted and will be filed with the Division of Local Government Services as required by law.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 2025‑291 (budget amendment) — moved by Council Member Craft; seconded by Council Member Connor; adopted by roll call. Resolution adopting the 2025 municipal budget (225292 in the record) — moved by Council Member Condos; seconded by Council Member Rotunda; adopted by roll call. Multiple first‑reading ordinances introduced (2025‑19 through 2025‑23) — motions to introduce carried on first reading.

The council said the ordinances will return for further public notice and a second reading as required by law. No substantive public objections were raised at the hearing on the budget amendment.