Monmouth County Seeks Tax Increase To Preserve Open Space

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — On Oct. 27, Monmouth County will host an information session on the County’s proposed tax increase for its Open Space Fund.

Voters will be asked to raise the Open Space tax from 2.75 cents to 3.75 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation.

Election Day is Nov. 4. However, early, in-person voting starts this Saturday, Oct. 25.

The county will present why it thinks the tax increase is needed at an information session held at 6 p.m. Monday, October 27 in the Thompson Park Visitor Center, 805 Newman Springs Road, in the Lincroft section of Middletown.

The following is from Monmouth County:

Monmouth County is actively working to acquire properties within the project areas identified in the Monmouth County Open Space Plan. Negotiations or appraisals are currently underway with the owners of more than 20 properties. There are many more land preservation projects on the horizon as long as funds are available.

What will the proposed Open Space Trust Fund increase support?

• Dedicate sufficient funds for purchasing more park land before open space is forever lost.
• Provide new access to rivers, lakes, bays and the ocean for recreation.
• Create new parks; expand existing parks; preserve greenways, stream and trail corridors; dredge recreational waterways; and create connections between parks to establish an integrated open space system throughout the County.
• Preserve vital watersheds and wetlands, which protect critical drinking water supplies, provide habitat for birds and aquatic life, and prevent flooding.
• Advance preservation of the County’s natural, historic and scenic resources.
• Expand recreational opportunities throughout the county, which promote health and wellness.
• Foster balanced development throughout the County to support a vibrant local economy with sustainable practices that keep our communities livable.

The Open Space Trust Fund has supported the purchase of over 571 properties, adding 9,967 preserved acres of County-owned open space. In addition, through the Municipal Open Space Grant Program established by the County Commissioners in 2002, 51 of Monmouth County’s 53 municipalities have participated in the program, with 291 grants awarded for land acquisition and park development totaling $61 million.

For more information about Monmouth County’s Open Space program, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000, ext. 4312.