Toms River municipal building. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick on Wednesday night introduced the township’s 2026 budget, which calls for the tax rate to remain flat – with no increase – while adding 14 police officers and increasing the township’s surplus fund.
The budget was presented by Jerry Conaty, the township auditor from the firm of Holman Frenia, of Red Bank, which has reviewed township budgets for over a decade. Conaty presented a presentation at the start of an unusually-calm township council meeting, paving the way for the budget’s final approval next month.
The municipal tax rate remains unchanged at 0.437 cents per $100 of assessed value — the same rate as in 2024 and 2025. For an average home assessed at $450,600, the municipal tax portion will be $1,969.12, representing about 21 percent of the total property tax bill of $9,561.73, Conaty said. The full proposed municipal budget is $142.2 million, which accounts for raises of 3 percent over three years for the township’s various employee unions, and healthcare costs.
Budget materials show the township anticipates a $17.05 million surplus in 2026, contributing to an estimated fund balance of $55.12 million. The balance stood at $64.13 million in 2025 and $52 million in 2024, “reflecting ongoing fiscal strength even as the township uses surplus to help manage costs,” Conaty said.
The plan includes retiring $8.82 million in bond principal to reduce debt.
Opponents of Rodrick have long raised concerns of reduced staffing levels in the police department, though most of the reduction in staff has been at the highest supervisory levels, he has said. The new budget will fund the hiring of 14 additional police officers, including five who were offered jobs this week after a series of interviews, and one additional candidate who is expected to be offered a position next week.
Key capital projects for the year include paving more than 15 miles of roads, installing tide check valves to reduce flooding on more than 70 roadways, placing new playground equipment at Bey Lea, Winding River and Skyview parks, moving forward with the Ortley Beach boardwalk and streetscape initiatives and finishing designs for multiple new parks and spray parks. The Swiss-designed tide valves are designed to reduce nuisance and tidal flooding in vulnerable waterfront neighborhoods by, essentially, using a check valve mechanism to allow water to egress from roadways while preventing it from reversing onto streets. The technology has been used to a significant degree in neighboring Brick Township.
Skyview Park and Deer Hollow Park are both expected to receive new equipment next month. Spray parks are also being added with Cox Crow Park and one will be added on Clifton Avenue as well.
“This budget represents what can be achieved when government focuses on fiscal responsibility, accountability, and delivering value to residents,” Rodrick said in a statement. “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished, and I believe our best days are still ahead.”
The meeting did not devolve into the chaos that has plagued other recent meetings, with Rodrick’s opponents on the township council largely taking the presentation in stride.
“I want to thank Jerry for a wonderful presentation he did, and I want to thank the mayor for setting it up since we asked for it,” said Council President David Ciccozzi, before voting positively on the introduction.
Councilman Thomas Nivison criticized the addition of spray parks within some of the existing parks, however, arguing that the township should use the funds elsewhere. Specifically, he said Toms River should hire additional code enforcement officers, stating the township looks like “a dump everywhere” and the budget should expand that department.
The mayor, on the other hand, stated the upgrades to parks and roads represents an investment into the quality-of-life for residents.
“Our financial position is stronger than it has ever been,” Rodrick said. “A record surplus, lower debt, and controlled spending provide stability for taxpayers while ensuring that we can continue investing in critical projects throughout our community.”
He added: “Regardless of political differences, everyone recognized that this budget delivers real results for taxpayers and moves our township forward.”
A final vote to include an amendment to incorporate funding for a state Clean Communities grant, will be held next month.
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