Ocean county to name man, woman of the year as funding, grants headline busy week

Commissioners also set votes on opioid funds, $1M housing grant and local agreements

TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Ocean County commissioners are set to recognize community leaders and approve millions in funding this week, highlighting a packed agenda that includes major grants, infrastructure agreements, and public safety initiatives.

Among the most notable items, county officials will honor Christine Giordano Hanlon as Woman of the Year and Frank Sadeghi as Man of the Year, alongside Gina M. Condos receiving the Women’s Voice in Politics Award.

The recognitions, presented through the Ocean County Federation of Republican Women, headline a broader slate of actions spanning public health, law enforcement, and community services.

Honors and recognitions lead agenda

In addition to the annual awards, commissioners will recognize Julie N. Tarrant for more than 48 years of service to Ocean County.

The honors portion of the meeting reflects a focus on community contributions before transitioning into a series of funding approvals and administrative actions.

Millions in funding and grants under review

County officials are expected to approve several funding measures, including:

$2.33 million reallocation of American Rescue Plan funds
$1 million grant for New Jersey shelter and health programs
$158,809 opioid settlement payment tied to national litigation
Nearly $1.05 million in subrecipient agreements for municipalities and nonprofits

Additional smaller grants include funding tied to crime victims’ rights programming and senior nutrition services.

Public safety and law enforcement initiatives

Several agenda items focus on law enforcement and traffic safety efforts.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office is seeking approval to apply for multiple state grants, including:

Traffic enforcement funding
Child restraint safety programs
Community policing and monitoring initiatives

The county is also advancing shared services agreements with municipalities for DUI enforcement, drug recognition programs, and traffic safety operations.

Key Points

• Ocean County to honor Man and Woman of the Year during commissioner meeting
• More than $3 million in grants and funding actions under consideration
• Public safety, housing, and infrastructure agreements headline agenda

Local projects and infrastructure moves forward

Commissioners are also set to approve multiple agreements tied to infrastructure and development.

These include:

Road and engineering service agreements with Ocean and Plumsted townships
Property acquisitions and easements in Jackson and Plumsted
Utility removal work at Cedar Creek Campground in Berkeley Township

In addition, the county will consider endorsing a pre-application tied to the Route 88 bridge replacement project.

Budget and policy decisions included

The agenda also includes several broader policy and financial actions.

Officials are expected to:

Set the 2026 library tax levy at $52.8 million
Approve five-year capital plans for constitutional officers
Update policies on county vehicle use
Advance administrative restructuring, including dissolution of a budget systems department

Housing and social service agreements are also on the agenda, including updates to weather-related assistance programs and facility use at the county resource center.

What comes next

The meeting reflects the wide scope of county government operations, from ceremonial recognitions to multi-million-dollar funding decisions.

Related coverage has tracked how counties are allocating federal relief funds and expanding shared services to manage costs.

All resolutions are scheduled for consideration at the upcoming commissioner meeting, where final approvals will determine how funding and programs move forward across Ocean County.

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