CAPE MAY — Washington Street Mall Management Co. treasurer Carolyn Zebrowski presented the shopping district’s 2026 budget to City Council on Dec. 2.
The budget anticipates $72,675 in assessments. Zebrowski said the organization plans to use $11,000 in surplus, bringing the total to $305,166 in budget funds.
The budget includes $100,000 for enhancement projects: tree trimming, lighting, irrigation systems, etc., while $60,000 is budgeted for décor and maintenance, including seasonal plantings and smaller expenses as they arise.
“We’re budgeting $16,000 for administrative and professional expenses and $1,000 for our memberships,” Zebrowski said. “We have $8,000 budgeted for advertising, $13,000 for events, $8,000 for our website and social media, $2,000 for uncollected assessments, $1,000 for miscellaneous and just over $80,000 for future programs.”
The memorial brick program has raised $221,490, and Zebrowski noted they have figured out the best way to install them.
“We do it twice a year and it costs us about $8,000 at a time, so we have $16,000 budgeted for the brick program,” Zebrowski said.
Mayor Zack Mullock thanked Zebrowski for her efforts.
“For anyone who doesn’t know, this is not a paid position, so we appreciate all your hard work that you put into this every year,” he said.
Beach tags
City Council presented the winners of the beach tag competition. The seasonal tag was designed by Hannah Stevenson, the weekly tag was designed by Anthony Monoghan, and the Veteran/Active-Duty Military tag was designed by Lena Shepanski.
“I think we probably have the prettiest beach tags you could ask of for any shore town,” Mullock said. “Thank you very much, they’re all beautiful.”
The 2026 pre-season sale pricing for beach tags is $30, from Dec. 1 to April 30, 2026. Tags can be purchased at City Hall or on the city website.
Council also established a 2026 commemorative beach tag. It notes Cape May is celebrating 50 years as a landmark and 175 years as a city. The first 500 pre-sale tags will cost $50 each. Once the season starts, the commemorative tags will increase in price to $75.
“Part of the reason or the higher price point is we have several celebrations we’re doing next year,” City Manager Paul Dietrich said. “I’m anticipating a budgetary allotment request of a significant nature to help fund those projects.”
Dietrich added that the celebrations include the 250th anniversary of the United States, an additional Fourth of July celebration, National Night Out and several others, including commemorative events.
“We’re doing a lot of things geared around the historic aspect and that celebration and looking for an additional funding source to help those commemorative activities,” Dietrich said.
Councilman Shaine Meier asked if there are opportunities from the state for the historic celebrations. Dietrich said there is a large program the state is putting on, and the city will be cross-advertising its events.
“They have some traveling exhibits, and we’ve asked them to come here,” Dietrich said.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
