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Hefkervelt

Lakewood Budget Faces 14.4 cent Tax Increase as Mayor Blames FEMA Denial and State Aid Cuts

Jul 16, 2026·2 min read

 Lakewood Budget Includes 14.4-Cent Tax Increase; Mayor Blames FEMA Decision and State Aid Cuts 

At Thursday's Township Committee meeting, Mayor Ray Coles announced that Lakewood’s upcoming municipal budget will include a 14.4-cent tax increase, calling this year’s budget introduction one of the most difficult he has faced in years.

The mayor cited two major factors behind the increase: Winter storm costs: Back-to-back blizzards and snow/ice storms caused widespread disruption, with Lakewood spending approximately $8 million on cleanup and recovery. Coles said the Township normally would have expected FEMA reimbursement, but New Jersey’s application was not approved by the federalgovernment who approved,  applications from other states.

Loss of state municipal aid: Coles said Lakewood’s growing population has far outpaced the state’s outdated aid formula, which was created in the 1970s. He noted that Lakewood has grown from about 30,000 residents to more than 150,000, making it one of the largest municipalities in the state, yet it ranks near the bottom in state aid per capita.

The mayor said state officials recognize Lakewood’s efficiency and limited workforce and determined the Township should receive about $25 million in aid instead of the approximately $5 million it currently receives. He said changing the formula requires legislative action, and local representatives have already sponsored legislation in Trenton to address the issue.

Coles added that Lakewood had received $7–8 million in state grants two years ago and expected an increase this year, but the elimination of those funds created an additional $8 million budget gap.

The mayor placed much of the blame for the tate increase on the loss of state aid and FEMA reimbursement.

This is for the municipal budget only. The school district and fire budgets are seperate.
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