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Ocean County director proposes one-cent open-space tax increase to expand preservation and park upgrades
Summary
Director Frank Sadeghi proposed putting a one-cent county open-space tax increase on the November ballot to fund preservation, farmland protection and park improvements, saying rising land values and recreation demand make more funds necessary.
At the organization meeting Director Frank Sadeghi proposed placing a referendum on the November ballot asking Ocean County voters to raise the county open-space tax by one cent. He framed the measure as a way to preserve farmland and open space and to update and expand county park facilities as the county’s population grows.
Sadeghi said the county previously enacted an open-space tax roughly 30 years ago (cited as 1.2 cents) and that the county has preserved roughly 35,000 acres over time. He said land costs and development pressure have increased and additional revenue would allow the county to both acquire new open land and develop park infrastructure for recreation.
"That is why today I'm proposing, and I think the Commissioners are on Board, that the Ocean County Board of Commissioners place a referendum on the ballot this November asking county voters to raise our county open tax by one cent allowing the county to more aggressively preserve open space and farmland to prevent overdevelopment," Sadeghi told the meeting. He said the board must balance preservation with the county’s growth and cited the goal of improving older county parks for recreation.
