2026 Budget Message

presented March 3, 2026

Good afternoon, Commissioners and guests. I join you today to introduce the 2026 Atlantic County Budget and provide a summary of the state of Atlantic County and our fiscal plan.

This time last year the implementation of offshore wind projects was still being debated. Twelve months later, those projects planned off our Atlantic County coastline now appear to be dead in the water.

 But while we were successful in preventing offshore wind projects, we are once again facing the possibility of casino gaming in North Jersey after the approval of three casino licenses in New York City. This brings us to also contemplate the future of our own casino PILOT legislation. The current bill sunsets in 2026, merely 10 months from now.

We spent eight years of the 10-year PILOT fighting for what was rightfully owed our taxpayers. Despite three court rulings in our favor, the state continued to stall and delay, likely hoping we would get frustrated, run out of money, and give up. But we persevered. And in the end, we received $59 million in total from the state. It’s a credit to our team. The county commissioners stood strong against pressure from some of our own elected officials who encouraged this board to drop the lawsuit and move on. It cost us a little more than $1 million but we can all agree it was money well spent.

Those who are considering another casino PILOT should be put on notice that we will continue to fight. The idea of one state elected official for a PILOT in “perpetuity” is absurd.  Why would anyone who represents this county propose another PILOT that is unfair to our taxpayers?

Atlantic City casinos continue to break revenue records. Less than one week ago it was reported that three of Atlantic City’s nine casinos are among the top grossing casinos in the country. While much of that success is attributed to significant gains in Internet and sports betting, even in-person revenues in Atlantic City casinos rose 2.7% in 2025.

We are continually told that without the PILOT, at least two casinos, if not more, will fail and thousands of employees will lose their jobs. I cannot attest to the accuracy of those statements, but if they have any validity, I have a solution. Casinos benefit all state taxpayers, yet only those living in Atlantic County are required to support them with their tax dollars. Let’s require taxpayers in all 21 counties to contribute. It’s really just a matter of fundamental fairness. Why should one county foot the entire bill for something that benefits all?

The original PILOT was enacted to stabilize Atlantic City’s finances and reduce costly casino tax appeals. By all accounts the city’s financial health has improved with consecutive tax reductions and bond rating upgrades to investment levels. In that respect the PILOT has completed its job.

What is now needed, and has been lacking all along, is a regulated property tax assessment program. If properties were accurately and consistently assessed, there would be no need for a PILOT.  As hard as we work to reduce county taxes, many residents fail to benefit from those savings. Instead, their tax bills reflect increases based upon inflated property values.

We face other difficult decisions this year. One being what to do with our Atlantic County Justice Facility. Up until a few weeks ago, we had the option of joining a regional jail with Camden and Cumberland counties that was to be built in Winslow Township. After some strong pushback from its own residents, Camden County has decided not to pursue that project.

If we agree to build a new Atlantic County jail next to the current jail, we will need to complete construction prior to demolishing the current jail. I will rely on the board’s jail committee to perform its due diligence and assist us in developing a plan. I have assigned Special Projects Director Steve O’Connor to this task.

We are moving forward with plans to sell Meadowview at auction to the highest responsible bidder. We continue to lose money and have a difficult time attracting qualified staff. When I first became county executive, there were 23 county-operated nursing homes in the state. Today, Meadowview is one of only three. Bids will start at $23.5 million and any interested party must meet our criteria to protect current residents and staff. 

Last year we completed a feasibility study for fire/EMS centralized dispatch. Ideally, it makes sense to have a single system that would include police and be accessible to all partners, but there is continued resistance. We were unsuccessful several years ago and now we are the only county without some form of centralized dispatch. As technology and equipment change, they become more cost prohibitive for local governments. Sharing our resources helps reduce those costs but our towns must have the will.

Case in point, the Central Municipal Court of Atlantic County. Despite towns realizing significant savings, we still have only nine of 23 towns as members. In 2025, those nine towns realized an average savings of 44% and $1.27 million overall. Since its inception in 2022, the court has saved participating towns’ taxpayers more than $5.5 million.

In addition to reducing duplication and increasing savings, the consolidated court continues to improve. The first court of its kind has the additional distinction of being the first to incorporate AI technology. An AI-assisted phone system can answer inquiries or direct callers to appropriate resources 24/7.  We have also implemented the use of an AI chat assistant on the court web page and most court procedures are conducted virtually. We have streamlined the court, reduced costs, and improved efficiencies, without sacrificing service. The Central Municipal Court of Atlantic County stands as a model throughout the state. Its success should breed further success and yet we are unable to convince others to join. Once again, archaic home rule dominates the decision-making process.

It is difficult to understand how towns would continue to pass up opportunities to save taxpayer dollars, especially at a time when local governments are facing significant funding challenges and unsustainable increases in utility costs and health care benefits.

Local governments that participate in the State Health Benefits Program have been expected to absorb unprecedented cost increases over the past several years. In 2026, we face a 38% average increase in premiums. These cost increases are shared by the employees and the taxpayers. The health benefits packages were once a carrot to attract quality staff when our salaries cannot match the private sector. But with the unheralded cost-share increases, this perk has lost its luster adding to our difficulty in attracting and retaining staff.

We continue to explore other options. This past October during open enrollment we were able to offer employees a new high deductible plan option. Approximately 500 employees voluntarily made the switch which should help reduce their out-of-pocket costs without sacrificing quality of care for themselves or their family members. If this proves successful, we believe more employees will consider opting in next year.

Within the next few weeks, we will complete construction of the second building at the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park (NARTP) on time and on budget. Thanks to Tim Edmunds and the Atlantic County Improvement Authority for its successful management of this project.

The 40,000 square foot, state-of-the-art building will house an Aviation Strategic Innovation Center. AI and other new technologies are rapidly transforming how aviation systems operate. By investing in them, we are positioning Atlantic County to be on the cutting edge of aviation research and ensuring our region is a leader in the next wave of technological advancement.

I developed the idea for the park following the closing of four casinos and loss of 8,000 jobs in 2014. The need to diversify our economy could no longer be ignored. Our long-time reliance on a single industry, that being hospitality and gaming, was no longer viable. So, we took a risk and invested $20 million to start the park and begin to build a new industry. Had our decision been questioned, we would have been hard-pressed to justify spending millions of tax dollars on speculation for construction in a 58-acre parcel between Amelia Earhart Boulevard and Delilah Road in Egg Harbor Township. The naysayers would have had a field day.

Thankfully, the members of the Board of Commissioners were willing to gamble their own political futures to push this forward. As a result, that vision for our future has become a reality. The citizens of Atlantic County and this region should be eternally grateful, as I am, for your cooperation.

In 2019 we opened the first building at the NARTP.  That building is fully occupied with the likes of NASA, General Dynamics, Woolpert, Signature Sciences, the FAA and more premier aviation companies. If not for the COVID pandemic, we would probably be talking about the completion of the third building by now.

The growth and development of the park could not have been achieved without Howard Kyle, my former Chief of Staff. I sent him for a weekend to visit Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the top school of its kind in the world, and directed him to absorb as much as he could. He returned with a genuine passion to explore our opportunities. Coupled with his intelligence and determination, the concept took root and continues to flourish.

Just last month we received notification of a $1 million federal funding award.  The NARTP will work with the Atlantic County Economic Alliance (ACEA) and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to establish an aviation maintenance training academy at Atlantic City International Airport. This academy will create a pipeline for job opportunities in aircraft maintenance. The ACEA, under the leadership of Lauren Moore, has also been integral to the development of the park and our efforts to diversify.

Aviation has become one of the most promising sectors of our local economy.  With the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center and the Atlantic City Airport we’ve always had world-class assets. Through a shared vision and strong partnerships, we’ve built an ecosystem around those assets. We’ve established the only aviation innovation hub in our state by capitalizing on these unique resources and turning them into a powerful engine for economic growth. The aviation and aerospace industry is our future.

I must point out that despite all the disbelievers, this Commissioner Board never once questioned this project’s feasibility. I thank you for your unwavering support.

I’d also like to applaud Dr. Phil Guenther and his team at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology which has strongly embraced the opportunities for high-paying, sustainable employment in the aviation industry. It should really come as no surprise that this Blue Ribbon school that is recognized as one of the finest high schools in the state has incorporated an Academy of Aviation Studies in its curriculum offerings. The ACIT is no longer limited to cosmetology and automotive repair; it is teaching to the need and preparing students for unlimited possibilities.

When discussing our future, we must also address the status of the ACUA landfill. A plan for the expansion of the existing ACUA landfill will extend the operation of the landfill to 2040. This board must now decide, with a vote today, whether or not to proceed.

Some of you attended a hastily prepared press conference last year when the suggestion was made to sell and privatize the ACUA despite having the lowest fees in the state and perhaps one of the finest reputations among public organizations. I know all of you there that day were blindsided and now stand firmly behind the ACUA, just as I do.

ACUA President Matt DeNafo and his team do an outstanding job. Earlier this year, the ACUA added to its accolades when it was awarded the 2026 National Environmental Achievement Award for its microplastics removal project, the first-of-its-kind system that captures microplastic from treated wastewater before it’s discharged into the ocean. I applaud this innovation to help preserve our oceans for our residents and visitors, and commercial and recreational fisheries.

Atlantic County remains financially secure. We continue to retain our top tier credit ratings in addition to 26 consecutive years with a perfect audit. I don’t know of any other county in the state, or perhaps the country, that can make that claim.

As we look ahead, our 2026 spending plan will include increases in salaries and wages driven by a need to incorporate competitive pay scales in our contractual agreements with 23 bargaining units. Meadowview and the justice facility each saw increases of $1 million. An additional $1 million was required to meet contractual obligations for the operation of Harborfields youth detention facility. To help offset these increases, many vacancies will remain frozen. Contributions will also increase by $775,000 for pension and benefits and nearly $400,000 for social security.

To continue our use of AI technology to promote service efficiencies, we are dedicating $200,000 for Information Technology applications. We have already seen the positive impact AI is making in our Central Municipal Court as well as our emergency assistance unit under Forrest Gilmore in the Department of Family & Community Development. These innovative tools do not replace employees, but help supplement their efforts to provide timely and efficient customer service and expand accessibility beyond traditional office hours.

In 2026, I am adding $22.5 million of surplus, a little more than 50%, to our budget.  With the $283 million budget I introduce today, the county tax levy would be $198.5 million and the general purpose tax rate would be reduced by 2 cents. In the 26 years I have served as county executive, this will be the eighteenth time we have lowered the tax rate. Again, I know of very few counties that could match our record and even less that could do so being the second poorest county in their state. 

The public health and library tax rates will remain flat. The final numbers will be determined after all municipal values are submitted to the Atlantic County Board of Taxation.

The preparation of our annual budget is an extraordinary team effort that requires extensive time by fiscal staff throughout county government and in cooperation with your own budget subcommittee. The direction of those efforts starts with County Administrator Jerry Del Rosso, County Treasurer Bonnie Lindaw, Administrative Services Department Head Tammi Robbins and Budget Manager Julie Sharkey. I’d also like to thank Chief of Staff Linda Gilmore for her talents and relentless dedication. We are fortunate to have the service of these knowledgeable and dedicated individuals among many others.

2026 will be another busy year. We have a lot on our plates but I am confident we have the resolve to put in the hard work and do what is best. As long as we keep our residents’ interests at the forefront, we cannot go wrong. As elected officials we must always remember that it is not about us, but rather, about them – our county taxpayers.

I am proud and grateful to work with the most committed Board of Commissioners in the state, and I look forward to working with our newest commissioners, Collins Days, Sr. and Art Schenker, who are following in the footsteps of their extraordinarily dedicated predecessors, the late Ernest Coursey and Amy Gatto. Let’s ensure our efforts continue to uphold Atlantic County as the best run county in New Jersey!

Thank you and God bless you all.