As we move through 2026, our county stands on firm financial ground with a clear vision for a brighter future. On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, I want to share a comprehensive picture of the state of Cape May County and the steps we are taking to keep our area thriving for the families and businesses who call it home. Fiscal responsibility remains our top priority. We know every tax dollar comes from our hardworking residents and property owners. We are committed to spending those dollars wisely and reluctantly. Our 2026 budget comes in at $223,271,377 — nearly $943,000 less than last year. We have built our responsible spending plans from the ground up using zero-based budgeting. Each year, our team of department heads must justify its needs rather than simply repeating past spending. This longstanding annual review has built fiscal discipline into our spending policies and led to stable tax rates and accountability. For the fourth year in a row, we are lowering the tax rate — this time by nine-tenths of a penny. That may sound small, but it adds up for local property owners. Our net ratable valuation has climbed to $104.7 billion, a healthy 7.8 percent increase. One penny of the tax rate now brings in more than $10.47 million, giving us more revenue without raising rates. About three quarters of our spending is covered by the tax levy, with the rest coming from grants and other sources. We continue to chase every available outside dollar while keeping a close eye on expenses. Our debt remains stable, and our surplus has grown by nearly $2 million, year-to-year. Prudent planning and debt management help us sustain a solid reserve for unexpected needs. We are investing wisely in the future. Road paving, bridge repairs, building upgrades, and technology improvements top our capital plan. Smaller projects, like the ongoing Phase 2 of the Veterans’ Cemetery, are being paid for as we go, avoiding new borrowing costs. We are also facing real challenges head-on. The budget includes more than $800,000 to develop better support for our homeless neighbors. We are committed to taking meaningful steps to manage difficult social issues that no community should ignore. Working closely with our 16 municipalities has never been more important. The Board meets on a regular basis with our mayors, administrators, Congressman Van Drew, Senator Testa, and Assemblymen Simonsen and McClellan for productive roundtable discussions to tackle shared challenges. One pressing concern is the new NJPACT/REAL Rules recently adopted by the state. These sweeping regulations threaten serious economic damage to coastal towns like ours and cities across New Jersey. We support Senate President Scutari’s call for major changes or outright repeal, and we are grateful for the strong backing from our local legislative delegation. Along with Ocean and Monmouth Counties and several of our towns, we are also challenging the rules in court. Reasonable environmental policies must be coupled with measures that foster development of our local economy and protect the property and develop rights of residents and business owners. Tourism remains the lifeblood of our economy. As one of New Jersey’s premier coastal destinations, Cape May County welcomes millions of visitors each year who support local businesses, create jobs, and sustain our quality of life. Protecting our beaches, maintaining our attractions, and investing in infrastructure are essential to ensuring this vital industry continues to flourish. Protecting our shoreline is vital to protecting our economy. We are encouraged by Congressman Jefferson Van Drew’s push for a $1 billion Coastal Trust Fund to support beach replenishment and resiliency projects. We are formally backing this effort and urging our municipalities to do the same. This year brings a special milestone — America’s 250th birthday. Through our Land of the Free Celebration 250 Grant Program, we are providing funds to county municipalities to help create meaningful Independence Day events that honor our history and bring folks together to celebrate our freedom and independence. Progress is visible throughout the county. Our famous Park & Zoo is getting major upgrades, from better parking and restrooms to a new animal medical clinic in the works. Plans are moving forward for a full redesign of County Park East that will add athletic fields, pickleball and tennis courts, a playground, walking paths, and improvements to the first responders’ memorial. The Board of Commissioners, through our Open Space Fund, continues to create expanding opportunities for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy our beautiful parks, beaches and woodlands. Cape May County is committed to improving and modernizing how we communicate with the public we serve. While we already meet legal requirements for transparency, we know we can do better in the digital age. In the coming year, expect new efforts using social media and other tools to keep our residents better informed. Finally, many have asked about the airport. Nearly three decades after the lease with the DRBA, times have changed. We are actively negotiating to bring more economic benefits and greater local control back to Cape May County taxpayers. These efforts include exploring workforce housing options under FAA guidelines. Ongoing discussions involve several jurisdictions and both state and federal agencies. Our guiding principle is simple: the Cape May County Airport is a high-value asset and that asset must be leveraged to best serve the taxpayers of our county. We look forward to a lot of good work ahead. None of this would be possible without the dedication of the many individuals who work tirelessly to serve the people of Cape May County. I would like to thank my fellow Commissioners, Vice Director Bulakowski, Commissioners Barr, Morey and Rosenello for their partnership and leadership, our County Administrator and CFO for their guidance and expertise, our department heads for their professionalism, and every County employee whose daily efforts keep our government running efficiently and effectively. I want to also thank the men and women of the Cape May County Sheriff’s Department and the Prosecutor’s Office for their outstanding work keeping our communities safe. Their professionalism and dedication provide the peace of mind that residents and visitors deserve. Together, we all remain committed to serving our residents with integrity, transparency, respect, and a shared vision for a strong and prosperous future. We look forward to an amazing 2026 in Cape May County!