Camden County’s $400M Sewer Plan Could Put Tax Question Before Audubon Voters
Audubon residents may see a countywide water-infrastructure tax question in November, but Camden County’s ballot language and referendum status are not yet final.
Audubon residents may see a countywide tax question in November tied to sewer, stormwater and watershed improvements. But as of July 27, 2026, the final ballot language and status of the question have not been confirmed in the public materials reviewed.
Camden County and the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority announced the approximately $400 million initiative on July 14. The announced multiyear plan is intended to address sewage overflows, stormwater management, flooding, water quality, habitat restoration and improvements to recreational waterways.
What Camden County announced
The plan would rely on a combination of state and federal funding, county capital investment, municipal participation, philanthropy and public-private partnerships. The announcement does not mean that the full amount has already been appropriated or secured.
County officials also said the effort could be supported by a one-cent increase in the county open-space tax, subject to voter approval. Camden County’s current open-space tax is listed as 2 cents per $100 of assessed value. The proposed rate would be 3 cents per $100.
That is a proposal, not an adopted tax change. The potential cost to an individual property owner would depend on the property’s assessed value and the final structure of the tax.
The July 14 county announcement described the possible measure as an Open Space and Water Quality Tax Referendum. The stated purpose would be to create a dedicated local funding source for watershed restoration, environmental preservation, recreational improvements and matching funds for state and federal grants.
Why sewer and stormwater systems matter
CCMUA explains that older combined sewer systems carry household wastewater and stormwater through the same pipes. During heavy rainfall, the volume can exceed the system’s capacity, causing a mixture of sewage and rainwater to discharge into local waterways.
WHYY reported that the county initiative includes investments aimed at reducing combined-sewer overflows, separating some stormwater and sanitary flows, adding green infrastructure such as rain gardens, rehabilitating aging sewers, remediating sediment and restoring recreational lakes. Officials cited in the report said the first phase could take about 10 years.
Those projects are regional in nature. Flooding and water-quality problems do not stop at municipal borders, and the county’s wastewater system serves communities across Camden County. However, the announced plan does not establish that Audubon will receive a specific project, construction schedule or guaranteed reduction in flooding.
Why Audubon is directly connected
Camden County’s municipality list includes Audubon Borough. A Rutgers New Jersey Water Resources Research Institute watershed guide identifies Audubon Borough as 100% within the Newton Creek watershed.
That watershed connection gives Audubon residents a direct reason to follow the county’s plans for stormwater, sewer and waterway investments. It does not mean the initiative would eliminate flooding in the borough or guarantee a particular local improvement.
What is known about the November question
The July 16 Camden County commissioners meeting packet includes agenda evidence of a resolution concerning a public question for the November 3, 2026, general-election ballot.
The available packet shows that the matter was presented for county action, but it does not by itself establish the final wording or confirm that the referendum has been certified for the ballot. Residents should look for an adopted resolution and official election materials before treating the question as final.
What residents should watch next
Key details still to watch include the adopted county resolution, official ballot language, estimates of the tax impact, confirmed funding commitments, project maps, construction schedules and any specific Audubon-area work.
The key distinction is that Camden County has announced the water-infrastructure initiative, while the proposed tax increase and referendum details remain subject to formal county and election action.
Sources
- Camden County water-quality and watershed investment announcement
- WHYY: Camden County sewage-overflow initiative
- Rutgers Camden County watershed guide
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