Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio (second from right) delivers the 2011 municipal budget to City Council. Also shown are Business Administrator George Savastano (right) and Councilmen Mike McHale (second from left) and John Divney.

SEA ISLE CITY – Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio introduced a budget this week he called “unmatched in the State of New Jersey.”

The $24 million spending plan has no increase in the local purpose tax and, according to Desiderio, is one of the first budgets statewide to comply with Gov. Chris Christie’s 2 percent cap. The budget comes in $470,000 under the allowable tax levy, the mayor said.

It includes a $5 million state reimbursement for earlier beach replenishment projects and additional money for the demolition of two buildings, the completion of the police accreditation process and the maintenance of the city’s assets and infrastructure.

Desiderio said the city’s 2011 fiscal year begins with an available surplus of nearly $2 million and that Sea Isle’s tax collection percentage remains at 98.47 percent.

He called it a “very encouraging sign” considering the current state of the economy.

Desiderio introduced the budget Jan. 11, the same day he gave his “State of the City” address.

In his speech, the mayor highlighted many projects that were completed during the past year, including a new public marina, where the city’s amusement park, Gillian’s Funland, is located.

The success of that park, which was the only facility of its type constructed in the United States during 2009, led to its expansion in 2010, Desiderio said.

“Looking ahead, 2011 will bring more improvements to the city, which will be highlighted by the establishment of the Excursion Park entertainment complex at JFK Boulevard and the Promenade,” said Desiderio.

The city’s new entertainment complex will include a band shell at Excursion Park, an updated seating area on the Promenade, a new beach pavilion and public art. Other projects include renovations at the basketball courts and playground facility on JFK Boulevard, as well as a major water/sewer project on Central Avenue, 49th to 69th streets, which will be followed by the resurfacing of the roadway.