The Tax Collector’s office is the face of the community, meeting taxpayers on a regular basis, eight or more times a year for tax and sewer payments, giving information and assisting property owners in a friendly and courteous manner.

The Tax Collector's office is responsible for the billing and collection of property taxes that support the three governmental units: Atlantic County, Absecon School District, and the City of Absecon. It administers property tax deductions for senior citizens, disabled persons and veterans for those eligible. Also available to the public is information pertaining to the various New Jersey State Reimbursements Programs.

The Sewer Department is located in the tax office for the convenience of the taxpayers.

The Tax Collector enforces payment of tax delinquencies through the tax sale process. The tax sale is held online through the services of: Online Auction Software Solutions - Realauction.com. 

All affidavits for expenses must be filed with the Tax Collector by the lien holders. All tax sale redemptions must take place through the Tax Collector’s office.

In the City of Absecon, the Tax Collector is the Tax Search Officer.

Tax bills are issued in June and are payable quarterly on the first of August, November, February and May. Late charges are added after the 10th day of the month due. Interest of 8% is charged up to $1,500.00 and 18% over $1,500.00 delinquency until taxes are paid current. A penalty of 6% is charged on any delinquency of excess of $10,000.00, if not paid by the end of the year.

The sewer bills are issued in November for the following year and are payable on the first of January, April, July and October. Per Ordinance 13-2023 a flat penalty of $10.00 per quarter, per EDU, is charged if not paid within 10 days of the due date. Specifically, a $10 per EDU additional late charge shall be assessed for each quarter the charge is delinquent.

Tax and sewer payments may be made in person or by mail. If paying by mail and a receipt is needed, a self-addressed, stamped envelope must be enclosed with the payment.

There is a drive up window for current tax and sewer payments during the Municiapal Building's business hours.  Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

For after hour payments, and other City correspondence, there is a brown mailbox located outside the tax office, which is emptied daily.  All payments placed in the afterhours mailbox will be posted on the next business day.

{module title="Tax Collector Shortcuts"}

The Public Works Department maintains all of the City’s parks and athletic fields. This includes mowing grass, weed-wacking, edging, maintenance of all irrigation systems. Fertilizing, seeding, also at library, firehouse and city hall. Cutting City owned lots, street shoulders and retention basins. Cleaning all athletic field bathrooms and re-stocking, picking up trash in parks and other city owned properties.

•  Dragging baseball fields daily and layout of football field and paint of lines weekly during season.
•  Street sweeping on city roads.
•  Pick up white goods and metal throughout city.
•  City-wide leaf collection in Spring and Fall each year.
•  Maintain a Class B recycling facility for our leaf compost.
•  Minor street repair from patching potholes to small overlay paving jobs.
•  Handling sewer house calls during normal business hours.
•  Routinely checking the 14 pump stations to make sure all equipment is in working order.
•  Snow plowing and spreading salt on all city streets, parking lots and city buildings.
• Road miles in city: 38.1
• Curb miles in city: 76.2

Frequently Asked Questions:

{module title="Public Works Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)"}

Code Enforcement is an essential part of maintaining the appearance and integrity of City of Absecon.  The code holds property owners responsible for the upkeep of their properties. Absecon takes an aggressive approach toward addressing and correcting property maintenance violations.  

In addition to regulating the overall appearance of properties, the Code Enforcement Department addresses maintenance of grass, weeds, trash, recycling, debris, building exteriors, vehicle storage and related city ordinances.  Owners whose property violates any provision of the code are notified to correct the violation(s) and comply with the regulations.

The Code Enforcement office is also responsible for the inspection of all properties that are being sold or rented within the City in compliance with state regulations and municipal code requirements.

The City works rigorously to keep looking its best.  Located within the Construction Office, Code Enforcement can be reached at (609) 641-0663, ext. 113.

Property Resale Requirement

Chapter 160 of the Code of Absecon requires all properties having a change in owner, tenant or occupant receive a certificate of continuing occupancy stating the property is in compliance with the Chapter 266, property maintenance code. Residential properties must also comply with N.J.A.C.5:70-2.3 for smoke alarms, co alarms and fire extinguisher. 

Residential Rental Property Requirements

Chapter 251 of the Code of Absecon regulates and governs the rental of residential properties within the city. No person(s), corporation or business entity shall offer any residential property for rent, lease or let any residential property to any person(s) without first obtaining a Rental Property Permit from the City. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Code Enforcement Office at 609-641-0663, ext. 113.

The Finance Department is responsible for maintaining the financial well-being of the City. This is accomplished through a variety of functions, ensuring that all monies received and disbursed by the City are properly accounted for and are safeguarded in a fiscally responsible manner.

Accounting and Budgeting

A primary responsibility of the Finance division is to prepare and maintain the City’s operating and capital budgets. Accounting and bookkeeping functions are performed, along with cash management, investments, and debt management. Maintenance of all financial records is another function, including the monthly reconciliation of all bank accounts, preparing and maintaining grant programs, managing developer’s escrow funds, and maintaining the Fixed Assets inventory.

Purchasing and Accounts Payable

The accounts payable division is responsible for the procurement of all City services, equipment, and supplies. The municipal purchasing objective is to purchase these items at the lowest possible cost, while maintaining a process of fairness and integrity. The division is also responsible for securing bids and proposals where applicable. The City utilizes a purchase order system, which is centralized in the Finance office. Bills are paid twice monthly, at every council meeting.

Payroll and Benefits Administration

All employee salaries are administered through the payroll division. This includes paying state and federal taxes, Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) and Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS) deductions, labor contract dues, and voluntary deductions for various programs offered by the City. Accruals of sick, vacation, and personal time available to the employees are also maintained, as are time and attendance records. The administration of employee health benefits is also a function of the payroll division.

{module title="Finance Shortcuts"}

Absecon City Council meets the first and third Thursdays of each month at 6:30 PM. Council will meet the first Thursday only in July, August, October, and November. A Zoom video of the meeting is available on the City's website and on ABTV Channel 97 at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM until the next meeting date.

Meetings Calendar

Council Meetings are available to be viewed through the City of Absecon's YouTube Channel.

Front Row from left:  City Clerk Carie Crone, Council President Rich DeRose, Councilperson Alex Clark

Back Row from left:  Councilperson Steve Light, Police Chief James Laughlin, Councilperson Linda Evans, Councilperson Nick LaRotonda, Councilperson Christine Parker, Councilperson Mike Sykes, Mayor Tommy Marrone, City Solicitor John Amenhauser

Council Members
	Alex Clark, Councilperson Ward 1 (R) aclark@abseconnj.org (609) 640-6519 Alex is currently serving his secound year as Councilperson, 2024 to present. Alex heads the Finance Committee and is also a member of the Public Safety and Public Works Committees. Term:  2024 – 2026
	Nicholas L. LaRotonda (Nick), Councilperson Ward 1 (R)​ nlarotonda@abseconnj.org (609) 226-0659 Nick is currently serving his fifth year as Councilperson, 2021 to present. Nick is a member of the Public Safety and Finance Committee. Term:  2022 – 2027
	Mike Sykes, Councilperson Ward 1 (R) msykes@abseconnj.org (609) 335-8978 Mike is currently serving his first year as Councilperson, 2025 to present. Mike heads the Parks and Playgrounds Committee and is also a member of the Public Works Committee. Term:  2025 – 2027
	Linda Evans, Councilperson Ward 2 (R) levans@abseconnj.org (609) 640-6580 Linda is currently serving her first year as Councilperson, 2025 to present. Linda heads the Community Affairs Committee and is also a member of the Parks & Playgrounds Committee. Term:  2025 – 2027
	Richard DeRose, Council President Ward 2 (R) rderose@abseconnj.org (609) 226-6288 Richard is currently serving his third year as Councilperson, 2023 to present. As Council President, Richard is a member of all Council Committees. Term:  2023 – 2025
	Christine Parker, Councilperson Ward 2 (R) cparker@abseconnj.org (609) 640-6131 Christine is currently serving her secound year as Councilperson, 2024 to present. Christine heads the Public Safety Committee and is also a member of the Finance Committee and Community Affairs Committee. Term:  2024 – 2026
	Stephen S. Light (Steve), Councilperson At-Large (R) slight@abseconnj.org (609) 640-6247 Steve is currently serving his eighth year as Councilperson, 2018 to present. Steve heads the Public Works Committee and also is a member of the Parks and Playgrounds Committee and Community Affairs Committees. Term:  2022 – 2025

Tommy Marrone, Mayor (R)
tmarrone@abseconnj.org

Tommy Marrone is currently serving his first year as Mayor, 2025 to present. Tommy previously served as Councilperson from 2023 to 2024. 

Term:  2025 - 2028

The City Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the City and supervises all City Departments, with the exception of the Police Department.  The Administrator executes and enforces the laws of the State of New Jersey, as well as ordinances and resolutions of the City, and sets and implements policy with the approval and consent of the Mayor and Council.

Duties of the Administrator:

• Set City policy with the approval of the Mayor and Council
• Prepare the annual budget
• Attend all Council meetings and committee meetings as directed
• Negotiate all contracts and ensure compliance
• Investigate Federal, State, and other aid programs, as well as prepare grants
• Handle day-to-day personnel matters
• Direct employment procedures and encruitement

The Municipal Clerk serves as secretary to the Absecon Council. and is the custodian of all minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds and archival records of the municipality. The Clerk's Office issues dog, liquor, and raffles licenses; registers voters; and provides general information to the public.

Duties of the Clerk:

• Serves as secretary of the municipal corporation and is the custodian of the municipal seal.
• Serves as Custodian of Records responsible for implementing local archives and records retention programs as mandated pursuant to Open Public Records Act (P.L. 2001, c. 404, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.).
• Prepares Council meeting agendas and records minutes of Council meetings.
• Retains the original copies of all ordinances and resolutions.
• Serves as the Chief Administrative Officer in all elections held in Absecon, subject to Title 19 of the Revised Statutes.
• Serves as Chief Registrar of Voters in Absecon, subject to the requirements of Title 19 of the Revised Statutes.
• Serves as Administrative Officer responsible for the acceptance of applications for licenses and permits and the issuance of licenses and permits, except where statute or municipal ordinance has delegated that responsibility to some other municipal officer.

Frequently Asked Questions:

{module title="City Clerk's Office Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)"}