Recreation Projects

Freeholders approve fund to help towns with recreation projects
By W.F. KEOUGH Staff Writer, (609) 463-6710
Press of Atlantic City
Published: Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Updated: Wednesday, March 15, 2006

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — County freeholders adopted an ordinance Tuesday that creates a $3.8 million pool of funds to help towns improve their marinas, bike paths and public parks.

The freeholder ordinance also provides another $200,000 to eligible artists.

The additional $4 million won't increase the county's tax rate, but it will boost the budget another $4 million, to $128.3 million. Freeholders officially adopted the amended budget Tuesday.

The 2006 Municipal Public Improvements Pooled Financing Program had its first taker Tuesday.

“We're ready to submit our plans,” Middle Township Mayor Nate Doughty told freeholders.

Doughty said he was seeking about $135,000 from the fund to extend the township's bike path from Goshen Road to Shellbay Avenue. Doughty and the township will have to wait: the funding won't actually be awarded until August.

Officials say everyone will have a crack at getting some of the money. The county has sent application packages to the 16 municipalities explaining how it will award the funds.

The county's funding program will help towns complete public projects such as parks, marinas and other recreational projects.

The program will allow the county to effectively return some of its ballooning surplus without further cutting the tax rate, already a record low 17.1 cents per $100 of equalized value.

The county has been careful not to label its largesse as grants in the legislation it used to create the plan. That's because of concerns from state officials. But that's what the plan is, said County Administrator Steven O'Connor.

Officially, the funding will be provided through “interlocal agreements.” The artist funding will be available through the county's division of culture and heritage. The money will be provided on a weighted system based on how much towns contribute to the county's tax levy.

Using that system, Ocean City, with a $7.7 billion ratable base, would be eligible for nearly $929,000. Woodbine, with just under $58 million in ratables, would qualify for $50,000.

To e-mail W.F. Keough at The Press:WKeough@pressofac.com