Toms River, NJ – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote on more than $45 million in capital improvement projects during its July 8 meeting, with proposed investments ranging from airport expansion and school renovations to shoreline protection and upgrades at county facilities.
The agenda includes 11 public hearing ordinances, many of which would appropriate money from the county’s Capital Improvement Fund, while others authorize long-term borrowing through bonds.
Airport expansion tops spending agenda
The largest projects on Wednesday’s agenda involve continued expansion at the Ocean County Airport in Berkeley Township.
Commissioners will consider:
- $10.75 million for Phase II construction of a maintenance hangar, including authorization to issue $10.15 million in bonds or bond anticipation notes.
- $9.5 million for Phase II construction of two six-bay box hangars, including authorization to borrow $9 million.
Together, the airport projects represent more than $20 million in planned investment aimed at expanding airport facilities.
Ocean County College and vocational schools slated for upgrades
Commissioners will also consider significant investments in county education facilities.
One ordinance would authorize a $6.71 million Capital Renewal and Replacement Project at Ocean County College.
The project includes approximately $3.36 million in state funding, with the remaining costs financed through county bonds.
Additional education-related projects include:
- $5 million for renovations and upgrades to vocational-technical school facilities located at Ocean County College.
- $2 million for improvements at the Ocean County Vocational Technical School campus in Brick Township.
Juvenile detention center, recycling center improvements planned
County officials are also proposing several improvements to existing county facilities.
Among the projects scheduled for public hearing are:
- $1.4 million for renovations and improvements at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Facility in Toms River.
- $1.7 million to renovate and upgrade the Northern Recycling Center in Lakewood.
- $750,000 to upgrade chemical tank systems at county road garages.
Shoreline protection project proposed for Berkeley Township
Commissioners are expected to consider appropriating $1.8 million for repairs to the Berkeley Island bulkhead and construction of living shoreline protections in Berkeley Township.
Living shoreline projects typically combine engineered structures with natural features designed to reduce erosion while improving environmental resilience along waterways.
Countywide infrastructure and security projects
Additional capital projects include:
- $2.5 million for engineering and design work on various future county construction projects.
- $3 million to install and upgrade building access control systems at county facilities.
The proposed security improvements would enhance access management across multiple county-owned buildings.
Public hearings scheduled
All 11 ordinances are scheduled for public hearings before commissioners vote on final adoption.
If approved, several of the projects will be financed through the county’s Capital Improvement Fund, while others will rely on long-term borrowing through bonds or bond anticipation notes.
Residents wishing to comment on the proposals will have an opportunity to address commissioners during the public hearing portion of Wednesday’s meeting.
Key Points
- Ocean County commissioners will consider more than $45 million in capital improvement projects during Wednesday’s meeting.
- The largest proposals include more than $20 million for expansion projects at Ocean County Airport.
- Other projects include improvements to Ocean County College, vocational schools, the juvenile detention facility, recycling center, shoreline protection and county infrastructure.
