Ocean County Commissioner Sam Ellenbogen has voiced opposition to a proposed rate increase by New Jersey American Water, citing concerns about affordability for residents, especially seniors, veterans, and working-class families. The private utility company is seeking approval from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to raise rates in order to fund approximately $1.4 billion in system upgrades across the state. If approved, this could mean an average household would see their monthly bill rise by about $18.
Ellenbogen argued that residents should not be expected to cover such large infrastructure costs, particularly as many families are already dealing with higher everyday expenses. He expressed concern that the proposal might shift financial responsibility onto ratepayers rather than requiring more accountability from the utility company.
“Ocean County is home to a large population of seniors, veterans, and residents on fixed incomes, and even modest increases can create real financial strain,” said Ellenbogen. “We want to ensure local concerns are clearly heard before any final decisions are made.”
While officials acknowledged the necessity of maintaining safe and reliable water systems, they emphasized that affordability should remain central in any review process regarding rate changes.
“The County supports responsible investment in essential services, but residents should not be asked to shoulder significant increases without full transparency and careful consideration of the impact on vulnerable populations,” Ellenbogen said.
The Ocean County Board of Commissioners has stated its commitment to representing county residents during the ongoing review process and ensuring their interests are considered before any decision is made on potential rate hikes. Ellenbogen indicated he would continue advocating against measures that prioritize corporate interests over resident protection.
Ocean County operates under a Board of Commissioners led by Director John P. Kelly and Deputy Director Frank Sadeghi, along with commissioners Virginia E. Haines, Robert S. Arace, and Jennifer Bacchione. The county provides various services including senior assistance programs, recreational activities, health initiatives, consumer support, and transportation options aimed at improving community well-being for local residents (https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/). The administrative offices are located at 101 Hooper Avenue in Toms River (https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/).
