Ocean City Responds To NJ Report On 'Wasteful' Spending

OCEAN CITY, NJ — City officials responded to a state report alleging wasteful spending from Ocean City and 15 other New Jersey municipalities. An Ocean City spokesperson said the report "selectively" points out a provision that only applies to a small percentage of city employees.

The New Jersey Commission of Investigation says a contract provision allows some public employees work work for more than 20 years to collect retirement bonuses worth half their salaries.

Related article: Report Blasts 16 NJ Towns For 'Waste, Abuse' Costing You Millions

The contracts also allow department heads and certain management or professional personnel who retire from the city with as little as 10 years of experience to collect bonuses worth up to 40 percent of their salaries, according to the report.

Employees hired before Dec. 31, 1999, and department heads — regardless of start date — qualify for bonuses equal to 35 percent of their salaries after just five years of service with Ocean City, according to the state.

Ocean City Public Information Officer Doug Bergen gave Patch the following statement:

"The report selectively points out a contract provision that applies only to a small percentage of Ocean City employees, including those hired more than 20 years ago with grandfathered benefits.

"As a footnote in the report points out, the city has capped any potential terminal leave payments to the vast majority of Ocean City’s 268 full-time employees at $7,500.

"Contracts for about 20 managers and six department heads include the one-time bonuses in lieu of payment for unused sick time."

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