TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners has approved an extensive series of contracts for 2026, funding dozens of professional, health, and public service programs as part of its annual budget cycle.
The approvals, which span advertising, legal, mental health, and infrastructure needs, include both renewals and new awards to support essential services across the county.
Officials said the agreements reflect the county’s focus on public health, community outreach, and modernization of government operations heading into the new year.
Major 2026 contracts exceeding $100,000
- Media and Advertising Services – Up to $180,000 approved for Beasley Media Corp., Comcast Advertising, Flare Media Agency LLC, J.A. Rod Associates LLC, Micromedia Publications Inc., Optimum Media, Press Communications LLC, Townsquare Media, and Transform the Hustle to provide general, radio, and subscription advertising services through December 2027. This is in addition to the nearly $1,000,000 in payroll and benefits paid to full-time media personnel throughout the county organization.
- Special Labor Counsel – Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro & Murphy, P.C., and Rothstein, Mandell, Strohm, Halm & Cipriani, P.A. awarded a combined amount not to exceed $100,000.
- Insurance Consulting and Brokerage Services – Conner Strong & Buckelew Companies LLC awarded up to $100,000.
- Professional Appraisal Services – Taurus Allied Partners Inc. (dba Integra Realty Resources Coastal NJ), Henry Mancini & Associates, and Starmark Appraisals LLC awarded a total of up to $950,000.
- Ocean County Board of Health – $200,000 contract for continued opioid prevention consulting services.
- Preferred Behavioral Health Group – $409,559 for continued care management and wraparound services for individuals with substance use disorders.
- Bright Harbor Healthcare – $400,000 for targeted outreach and engagement programs.
- Family Promise of the Jersey Shore – $798,150 for homelessness and housing insecurity services.
- Ending Homelessness Group, Inc. – $300,000 for comprehensive homelessness consultant services.
- Ocean Partnership for Children – $154,900 for disability services programming.
- Sea Change Recovery Community Organization – $148,270 for care management and wraparound services.
Human services and behavioral health initiatives extended
Several local partners, including LADACIN Network, Hope Sheds Light, and the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, also received one-year extensions to continue behavioral health and addiction recovery support programs. Officials noted that these partnerships help sustain critical social services throughout the county.
Technology and infrastructure upgrades continue
The board approved $353,638 for new mobile data terminals for the Sheriff’s Office and $167,258 for access control upgrades at the Justice Complex. Fox Fence Enterprises will install fencing along the Barnegat Branch Trail for $74,526.
Seventeen engineering firms were pre-qualified for construction management work on county road and bridge projects, while eight others were certified for on-call cultural resource consulting services.
Health insurance bids rejected
Commissioners voted to reject all proposals for new health insurance and benefits administration contracts, citing a decision to abandon the procurement process under state statute.
Officials said the scope of contracts approved ensures continuity of critical public services, strengthens community outreach, and supports ongoing infrastructure modernization across Ocean County.