Brigantine Mayor Vince Sera has a full plate. A financial cluster-f that’s been going on for decades. Roggie, Guenther. Simpson. And now Sera at the helm.
100 wind turbines may soon be built just off the beaches of Brigantine. Fishing and scenic views will be affected. Higher electric bills guaranteed in order to fund these experimental ‘green’ projects.
Deep dysfunction with Brigantine City Hall highlighted by NJ Gov Phil Murphy. Brigantine recently received scathing financial audit from State of NJ Comptroller. Epic, decades long municipal management fail by Brigantine leadership.
Looming tax increase to fund pension and premium healthcare for public employees of Brigantine.
The Press’s editorial of 11/14/22 has the headline, “Until public workers take less, others will pay more”.
This is letter to editor from Brigantine Taxpayers Association, written by Anne H Phillips.
The article says, “A few months ago the state discovered much more money would be needed to maintain the superior benefits that government workers get. Now, it’s becoming clearer how the public will pay more.
County and local governments face increases of as much as 23% to maintain the golden benefits for their workers.”
Also, it isn’t only the cost of health insurance for public workers that will increase.
In October, the state Division of Pension and Benefits said local governments face rate increases in their contributions to the state pension system.
New Jersey taxpayers are already coping with the highest national inflation rate in 40 years in a state with the highest property tax. (And, as of last year, New Jersey is the state with the highest lifetime tax burden on its residents.)
Temporary solutions for reforming the state’s public benefits system as well as long-term structural changes are being proposed. They do not address the root of this problem.
The Press offers a basic idea. “Don’t take pay and benefits significantly beyond what people outside government get for similar work.”
We agree and have expressed and recommended this idea and practice for many years regarding Brigantine’s government and public school (in the 2022-23 school budget the proposed cost- per- pupil is almost $35,000).
The State Commission of Investigation has been unable for many years to stop oversized benefit payouts to government workers.
Why? Could a reason be that New Jersey is one of the most pro-union government worker states in our country? (Press 5/30/21)
How does Brigantine’s government fit in this picture?
How will these facts affect Brigantine’s 2023 municipal and school budgets, upcoming union contracts, and our total property taxes? The taxpayers need to know this public information on a timely basis.
Sincerely, Anne H. Phillips, Brigantine Taxpayers Association
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This past Sunday’s Atlantic City Press says it all: Brigantine government suffers from massive mismanagement, corruption, and nepotism….. only 800 permanent residents but 288 employees on its City payroll !!! Plus bloated number of staff in its schools compared to its number of enrolled students !
This past Sunday’s Atlantic City Press says it all: Brigantine government suffers from massive mismanagement, corruption, and nepotism….. only 800 permanent residents but 288 employees on its City payroll !!! Plus bloated number of staff in its schools compared to its number of enrolled students !
City has 800.residents but 288 public employees on its Brigantine City payroll ! Shocking !
Shady dealings with bids for food concession at the Brigantine Links
These city employees can get 70 % of their pay for life. Plus medical. Can they double dip ? Meaning the recent city manager stepped down ( good idea after that audit ) He was chief of police. Does he get 70 % of $155k PLUS 70 % of $100k as city manager ?
Mike Green
There’s just a lot of incompetence with no plan for the future. An overstaffed fire department which in most municipalities this size would be a volunteer company –possibly supplemented by some full time staff. Police officers sidelined all day to sit behind cement trucks replacing curbs on Brigantine Ave . Not sure what is being accomplished by putting in new curbs without additional drainage to accommodate storms. Alleyways require gravel but all that is done is raking of existing stones causing even more of a mess.
One nice exception are the city hall employees—they try to help.
More oversight—less staff—transparency on upcoming projects