Ocean County officials have proposed a $655.6 million spending plan for 2026, a nearly $47 million increase over last year’s budget, driven by rising operational costs, debt service, and a dramatic expansion of the county’s public affairs office.

The newly approved budget totals $655,659,528, up from $626,982,088 in 2025. Despite the higher spending, officials said the county’s property tax rate will remain flat at $0.282 per $100 of equalized property value.

Even so, the amount raised through property taxes will climb sharply. The county’s 2026 tax levy stands at $544,639,035, up from $497,909,182 in 2025 — an increase of $46.7 million, or roughly 4.5%. Officials attributed the higher levy to surging property values across the county, which allow the government to collect more revenue without formally raising the tax rate. Residents whose property assessments have risen could see higher tax bills regardless.

Ocean County’s total assessed valuation has grown to more than $193 billion in 2026, up from an estimated $176.5 billion the prior year.

To help offset the spending increase without a rate hike, the county will draw $39.5 million from its surplus — $1 million more than in 2025 — and is anticipating just over $111 million in non-property-tax revenues.

Among the largest single expenditures is employee health insurance, for which the county has allocated $81.4 million. The budget also includes increased funding for debt service, capital improvements, county colleges, vocational schools, and social services.

The county’s public affairs department is also expected to eat up significantly more of the budget. The office is budgeted at $1.5 million in 2026, up from $550,000 the prior year.

A public hearing is scheduled for April 15 at the Ocean County Administration Building in Toms River, where residents can raise questions or objections before the budget receives final adoption. County officials said the plan was developed over several months through departmental consultations, with a stated focus on sustaining services while managing costs.