Ocean City, N.J. - Ocean City’s proposed 2026 budget would raise the municipal tax rate by 1.38 cents, bringing it to 58.58 cents per $100 of accessed value under Mayor Jay Gillian’s $118 million budget plan.


The proposed budget totals $118,487,714, up over 4% from last year, while the amount raised through taxation would climb to nearly $77 million. The average home in Ocean City accessed at $650,000, can expect a total increase of $89.00.

During his State of the City address last night, Gillian said the city is working to maintain strong services. In the proposed budget, salaries and wages remained the largest expense, accounting for over $40,000,000 of the budget.

Finance Director Frank Donato is expected to give a public budget presentation on Thursday, March 26th. City Council will formally introduce the budget on April 23rd, and City Council could vote on the budget in May.