Monmouth County voters are being asked to consider an increase to the County’s Open Space Trust Fund on this November’s general election ballot, and we encourage residents to vote “YES.” Residents of Monmouth County pay into the dedicated Open Space Trust Fund through their property taxes each year. This Fund directly supports the purchase of new county and municipal park land, the preservation of farms, the construction of new recreation facilities and the restoration of historic structures, and municipal grants for the improvement of local parks. 

Click here for Monmouth County Open Space Trust Fund Fact Sheet.

In addition to the County-wide referendum, residents of Little Silver and Manasquan will have ballot questions seeking to dedicate more funds to open space in their respective municipalities. 

Scroll down to view the ballot language.

MCF recommends voting “YES” for these referendums, in line with our mission of acquiring and preserving open space and farmland and conserving natural habitats throughout Monmouth County in support of outdoor recreation, agriculture, clean water, and wildlife for long-term sustainability. Doing so provides vital, increased funding for the long-term to protect and steward the green spaces that define our communities and safeguard our shared natural heritage.

Early voting begins on October 25, 2025, and Election Day is November 4, 2025.

SAMPLE BALLOT LANGUAGE:

 County of Monmouth Open Space Question

Should the County of Monmouth increase its dedication to the Monmouth County Open Space, Recreation, Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund from the previously approved and implemented annual levy of 2.75 cents per $100 of equalized valuation to 3.75 cents per $100 of equalized valuation, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:12-15.2(e), with the annual levy to be used for any or all of the purposes set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:12-15.2(a)(1)?

Explanatory Statement

This proposition would approve an increase in the annual collection rate from 2.75 cents per $100 of equalized valuation to 3.75 cents per $100 of equalized valuation through which the County of Monmouth funds the Monmouth County Open Space Trust Fund. The Open Space Trust Fund supports the current program to acquire and preserve open space for County park and recreation areas, to conserve natural resources and to protect water quality, to develop and maintain the system of County public recreation, which includes those County lands acquired for recreation and conservation purposes, to acquire easements to preserve County farmland, and to participate in cooperative park and recreation projects with Monmouth County municipalities, thereby permanently preserving these areas, providing recreational opportunities, conserving natural resources and protecting water quality for future generations of Monmouth County residents. Increasing the rate will enable the funding for open space acquisition to keep pace with rising land costs and with the loss of land to development.

View a Sample Ballot for Little Silver
View a Sample Ballot for Manasquan

Helpful Links:

Monmouth County Votes
Monmouth County Open Space Program
Benefits of Land Preservation