Longport plans to raise utility rates, beach fees

LONGPORT – The Board of Commissioners Wednesday, Nov. 19 introduced two ordinances raising water and sewer rates and beach tag fees.

Water and sewer rates will increase for the next billing cycle that starts Jan. 1, 2026.

Only flat rates are being increased. The rates for usage will remain as they are.

According to Chief Financial Officer Jenna Kelly, the flat rate increase is necessary due to overall improvements to the water and sewer system, including improvements to wells and building a well house.

      

The combined rate for water and sewer service will increase $60 per year.

Operational cost for water will be $355 per unit, up from $325; and sewer charges will be $425, up from $395.

Water usage rates will remain unchanged. Current rates are $1.80 per 1,000 gallons for usage between 75,001 to 100,000 gallons; $2 per 1,000 gallons for usage between 100,001 and 125,000 gallons; and $3.75 per 1,000 gallons for usage over 125,001 gallons.

    Longport beach tags
  

Beach tag fees will also increase next summer. The new pre-season rates are $25 per tag, up from $20 last year; senior citizens will pay $5 more for tags next summer when the rate for a seasonal tag increases to $15 from $10. These rates are effective until June 1. After June 1, rates increase to $40 per person, up from $35 for regular tags and $20 for senior citizens over age 55 up from $15.

Daily tags will remain at $5 per day. Weekly tags will remain at $15 and are valid from noon on Friday until the next Friday.

Public hearings on the ordinances will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17.

The board also held a public hearing and adopted an ordinance increasing rental inspection fees to $100 annually, up from $25 previously.

In other business, the borough announced it would apply for an Ocean Wind Pro-NJ Grantor Trust grant to help fund reconstruction of two bulkheads on 14^th and 25^th avenues. According to the resolution approving the authorization, Ocean Wind, which has pulled out of constructing a wind farm off the Jersey coast, still has a balance to offer in its original $15 million grant fund established in 2019. Ocean Wind has already awarded $4.8 million to shore towns for coastal resiliency and other worthy projects.

A new round of funding totaling $10 million is being offered to shore communities for coastal infrastructure improvement projects. No matching funds will be required.

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