A Lesson That It Pays To Be Frugal In Atlantic County Government

Since becoming Atlantic County, New Jersey Executive in 1999, Dennis Levinson has been undeniably frugal with the taxpayers' money.

It’s paid off, as Atlantic County has recently received $ 521,000 in shared services grants.

Levinson has been a trailblazer when it comes to pursuing shared service opportunities wherever and whenever possible.

This has often been unpopular with the established body politic, which loves its local autonomy, and ultimate control and desperately wants to keep things that way.

20 grants have been awarded state-wide, with Atlantic County earning a total of 6, which represents 30 percent of all grant awards in this round.

"We're proud of our efforts to work with our municipalities to find savings for our taxpayers," said Levinson. "As most of our citizens know, I have been advocating for shared services among local governments and school districts for decades, but New Jersey has a long history of home rule which can make it a hard sell.'

Atlantic County will also receive an additional $ 50,000, which will continue to pay for the full-time salary of Tim Kreischer, who is the Atlantic County Shared Services Coordinator.

If you missed it, here is our previous coverage of Tim Kreischer from April 6, 2021, as follows:

Kreischer served for 16 years on the Ventnor City Commission, from 1992 through 2007. Kreischer was Mayor of Ventnor City for 12 years (1995-2007).

Kreischer has displayed a true commitment and attention to detail in his public position. Kreischer had retired, but, after a relatively short time wanted to serve the public, again.

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Kreischer has spent a lifetime in public service, as his Father, Pete did. The late Pete Kreischer is a former President of the Ventnor City Council, prior to the change to the city commission form of government.

The following Atlantic County municipalities will participate in the grant awards as follows:

Galloway Township ($201,364 LEAP grant for Emergency dispatch services.
Ventnor City ($37,500) LEAP grant for the purchase of an emergency management trailer. This will serve as As a shared command center for Ventnor Margate and Longport.
Ventnor City also received an additional $112,500 for the purchase of a truck and the necessary equipment to store brine. They will treat the County roads located in these municipalities.
Longport will use its $56,250 to purchase computer software for flood plain matters. They will engage in shared services with Brigantine, Egg Harbor Township, Hamilton Township, Pleasantville, Somers Point and Ventnor.

The County will be making additional purchases that will directly benefit:

Absecon, Brigantine, Buenà Vista Township, Egg Harbor City, Folsom, Hammonton, Linwood, Margate, Mullica Township, Northfield, Pleasantville, and Ventnor.

SOURCE: Atlantic County Government.