BRICK – Three department heads presented their 2024 budgets during a recent Township Council meeting.
Township Engineer Elissa Commins introduced the engineering division budget. The cost to the township for salary and wages is $170,00 but the funds are recouped from inspections, escrow accounts and capital accounts, which vary from year to year, she said.
“The primary functions of the Division of Engineering are to establish and maintain our public infrastructure and assist with its integration to private property,” Commins said.
Her department also monitors site construction and offsite improvements outside of a physical building envelope. Engineering is also the designated flood plain administrator, serves as the contact for the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, the Army Corps of Engineers, and much more.
Commins’ request for the department’s operating budget is $75,200, which pays for general supplies, tools, renewal certifications for professionals, required continuing education credits, professional services, permitting and much more.
Building and Code Enforcement Official Daniel F. Newman was next, who presented his budget – which includes the Division of Inspections, empowered to enforce the NJ adopted uniform construction code, and also for local ordinances related to property maintenance and rental unit occupancy.
Some 3,607 permits were issued in Brick last year, and 987 permit updates, he said. His department also performed 18,039 inspections.
“Much of the revenue from the permit fees is based on the value of construction,” Newman said. “In 2023, it was $117,227,054. The added value of improvements made to real property affects the property taxes, which are then paid to the township, so a higher number is good for the taxpayers.”
Some $2,480,018 of revenue was generated by permit fees last year, with additional revenue generated by penalties, applications for variances, inspections and more, bringing the total revenue to $2,859,640.
Township Planner Tara Paxton and Zoning Officer Christopher Romano presented the budget for Land Use and Zoning, which consists of the zoning office, Planning Board, Zoning Board, GIS (geographic information system) mapping, grant management, community development and general land use planning.
A total of $600,000 in savings in the township’s 3,549 flood insurance policies has been achieved through participation in the Community Ratings System which adds up to about $200 savings for each policy, Paxton said.
The Division of Land Use and Planning has five main revenue sources: permits and applications, zoning permit fees, affordable housing fees, Planning and Zoning Board application fees and escrow fees.
Expenses include salaries, the operating budget, including expert services, and more. Land Use and Zoning oversees planning studies, surveys, environmental assessments, appraisals and plans in preparation for master plan updates – mostly for open space purchases for the Green Acres Program.
And finally, Mayor Crate announced the planned retirement of Construction Official Daniel F. Newman Jr. who has worked in the municipal staff since 1994 and as the Construction Code Officer since 2002.
“He has been responsible for upholding the highest standards of construction and building codes, diligently enforcing regulations to safeguard the lives and properties of our citizens,” she said before declaring April 12, 2024 Daniel F. Newman Jr. Day and presented him with the Key to the City.
Newman will retire in October.
