Oceanport Democratic Committee

"Republican Plan” for  Fort Monmouth 

What is the FMERPA Plan?

On September 3rd, the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority, commonly referred to by its initials “FMERPA”, approved the Final Plan for the transfer of the Fort Monmouth property from the Department of Defense to Oceanport, Eatontown and Tinton Falls.

The final and decisive vote to approve this Plan was cast by Republican Freeholder Lillian Burry, a long-time friend and supporter of Oceanport Councilwoman Ellynn Kahle, a fellow Republican.   

This Plan provides for a large number of  “homeless persons” from around Monmouth County to be relocated to the Fort Monmouth property.  The facilities for these “homeless persons” will not pay property taxes.  In the Oceanport Republican Plan created by Ellen Kahle and the Republican controlled Oceanport council,  no opposition was presented to stop these proposals.  In fact, the published Oceanport Republican Plan shows the proposed new school that will be needed.

The Final Draft of the “Homeless Plan” was adopted on August 20, 2008, and that Final Draft was made a part of the Final FMERPA Plan that was approved by Republican Freeholder Lillian Burry on September 3rd.    

The Homeless Plan: Tiny Oceanport Will House Monmouth County's Homeless

According to the 2000 Census, Oceanport's population is 5807. According to the FMERPA Plan, Monmouth County has 655,000 residents. 900 of those residents are homeless. 161 of Monmouth County's homeless will be housed at Fort Monmouth under the FMERPA Plan.

Do the math: 

• Less than 1% of Monmouth County's Residents, the Citizens of Oceanport, will be responsible for over 17% of Monmouth County's homeless. 

The FMERPA Plan will mean increased taxes for Oceanport homeowners in order to pay for increased municipal services and to build a new $65 million school. Oceanport homeowners will bear the burden of this plan because the affordable housing and homeless units will not increase the town's tax revenue enough to cover the increased demand on Oceanport's muncipal services. Affordable housing units will pay a lower rate of taxes than ordinary homes. Homeless units will generate no property taxes at all.

 There is a need for homeless units and affordable housing in Monmouth County, but using the decommissioning of Fort Monmouth as a chance to push so much of that need onto the shoulders of one small town is unfair. All towns should provide their fair share of affordable housing. Demanding that Oceanport pay for so much while other towns escape their responsibility is just not right. 

Impact on Oceanport: Revenue Down, Taxes Up

The final FMERPA report describes the impact on Oceanport. The Plan will result in "reduced tax ratables, increased use of municipal services and the potential for additional school-age children due to these proposed homeless accomodations."(Final LRA Application, p21)

In addition, the plan "forecasts a revenue deficit of $7000 during the initial redevelopment years for the Borough of Oceanport."(Final LRA Application, p21) The Plan admits that "the Borough of Oceanport will be carrying most of the load for the homeless accommodations"(Final LRA Application, p21) and that "any additional school-age children in the Borough of Oceanport beyond the Borough of Oceanport's current limited capacity would result in a need to spend over approximately $65 million to construct a new school." (Final LRA Application, p21)

In short, the town's income will decrease, while the town's expenses will increase.

Oceanport Homeowners: Stuck with the Bill

For a home assessed at $400,000.00,  a new $ 65 million school in Oceanport will result in an annual property tax increase for that homeowner of approximately  $ 1,000.00 per year.  

Not only will Oceanport need to build a new school, but we'll also need to hire more staff members, including expensive special education services. This will add another $500 per year to property taxes.  

The Republican Plan, approved by Republican Freeholder Lillian Burry and Republican Councilwoman Ellynn Kahle, will cost the homeowner approximately $1,500.00 per year in additional property taxes.  On a home assessed at $800,000, the tax increase would be approximately $3,000.00 per year. 

You can use the chart at the upper right to find your own projected tax increase based on the value of your home. 

 Oceanport Republicans: Asleep at the Wheel

Councilwoman Ellynn Kahle repeatedly failed to attend FMERPA planning meetings, and she was completely ineffective in representing the interests and concerns of the citizens of Oceanport.  During the last 2 years, there were many FMERPA meetings to create the Final Plan, and Councilwoman Kahle was absent from almost every meeting.  As a result of her failure to monitor and oppose the proposals and plans of the FMERPA Board, the citizens of Oceanport will now be saddled with a heavy tax burden because of the need to now build an expensive new school.