[Board of County Commissioners Agenda/Work Meeting]
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IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ON JANUARY 12TH, 2023.
ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
PLEASE EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO COUNTYBOARDMEETING@CO.SOMERSET.NJ.US MEETING BY CALLING (908) 231-7075 OR BY COMMENTING ON THE FACEBOOK LIVE STREAM.
RISE AND STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
ALLEGIANCE] PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES.
WE CELEBRATE THE MANY COLLEGE GRADUATIONS.
AND CELEBRATE THOSE WHO HAVE DONE THE GREAT WORK OF SOMERSET COUNTY.
WELCOME, EVERYONE, TO OUR MAY 9TH WORK SESSION OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD COMMISSIONERS MEETING.
HERE. I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
AGAIN, WELCOME EVERYONE, TO OUR WORKSHOP FOR MAY 9TH, 2023.
MAY IS A GREAT MONTH WHERE WE HAVE GRADUATIONS, ESPECIALLY OUR OWN RVCC.
GRADUATION IS COMING UP THIS WEEKEND.
ALSO OFFERING A CONGRATULATIONS TO ANOTHER CLASS OF OUTSTANDING RVCC GRADUATES.
AND WE'LL ALSO HAVE PROCLAMATIONS FOR OLDER AMERICANS MONTH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEEK.
AND, YOU KNOW, AS AN AIR FORCE VETERAN, I LOOK FORWARD TO THE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE FOCUSED ON THOSE WHO SACRIFICED AND LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR OUR FREEDOM, BUT ALSO THOSE WHO I STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF WHO CAME BEFORE ME AND MADE IT POSSIBLE.
ALSO, WE WILL INTRODUCE OUR BUDGET THIS EVENING.
AT THIS WORKSHOP MEETING, WE'LL SEE THE FIRST BUDGET BUDGET PRESENTATION BY OUR CFO AND DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, MS. YVONNE CHILDRESS AND ALSO HER TEAM.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXTREMELY HARD WORK ON GETTING US TO THIS POINT AND DEVELOPING THE BUDGET AND THAT WE MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR COUNTY WHILE MAINTAINING SENSIBLE TAX RATES.
SO I'M GOING TO HAND IT OFF TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR.
AND ON MAY 19TH, THE COUNTY IS HOSTING OUR SECOND ANNUAL STIGMA FREE MENTAL HEALTH CONFERENCE.
LISTEN TO SOME INTERESTING TALKS ON MENTAL HEALTH.
IT'S GOING TO BE HELD AT RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE FROM 10 TO 2 P.M.
AND AGAIN, THAT'S ON MAY 19TH.
LAST WEEK I ATTENDED AND SPOKE AT THE SOMERSET COUNTY GOVERNOR'S EDUCATORS RECOGNITION AWARDS, HONORING OVER 120 TEACHERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
THE DIRECTOR HAS MENTIONED BEFORE ABOUT HOW NICHE HAS RANKED SOMERSET COUNTY AS THE BEST COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, THE 20TH BEST COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY, AND IT GRADED OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AN A+.
SO I JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE AND THANK ALL OF OUR GREAT TEACHERS IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
GREATER RARITAN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD THE GREATER RARITAN 2023 JOB FAIR IS GOING TO BE HOSTED AT THE HINDU TEMPLE AND CULTURAL SOCIETY IN BRIDGEWATER FROM 10 TO 2 P.M.
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ON MAY 16TH.SO THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD ATTEND.
AND THE BRIDGES TO SUCCESS JOB SEARCH STRESS SERIES WITH EMPOWER SOMERSET IS RETURNING NEXT MONTH.
THIS IS A FREE EIGHT WEEK VIRTUAL PROGRAM DEALING WITH STRESS.
STRESS MANAGEMENT WHILE LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT.
THESE SESSIONS ARE FREE AND THEY WILL TAKE PLACE EVERY TUESDAY FROM 10 TO 11 BEGINNING ON JUNE 6TH. AND THAT'S MY REPORT.
IT WAS VERY INSIGHTFUL TO MEET THE DIVERSE EMPLOYERS THERE AND THE AGENCIES REPRESENTING THEM. SO IT WAS A REALLY GOOD NIGHT.
AND I'M HAPPY TO ADMIT IN THE JUST EIGHT MONTHS OF 2022, FROM MAY THROUGH DECEMBER, WE HAVE PREVENTED 5.5 BILLION WITH A B BILLION SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAGS FROM ENTERING OUR ENVIRONMENT.
ON THE PUBLIC WORKS FRONT, OUR TRANSPORTATION TEAM DELIVERED 7012 MEALS THIS PAST MONTH, 6908 PARATRANSIT VISITS AND 4215 PUBLIC TRANSIT TRIPS.
OUR RECYCLING TEAM HOSTED 589 CARS DURING OUR FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH EVENT.
THEY HAD 1575 CARS COME THROUGH OUR SHREDDING EVENT AND THEY HAD 949 CARS COME FOR OUR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE EVENTS. SO GREAT TEAM BY OUR RECYCLING AND FACILITIES, CREWS.
SO IT'S AN EXCITING TIME FOR OUR SCHOOLS TO GET BACK IN PERSON TO THIS EVENT.
SPEAKING OF THAT SAME SMALL BUT MIGHTY TEAM, THEY HOSTED A SERIES OF THREE EVENTS, THREE SEMINARS TO GET PUBLIC INPUT ON SOMERSET COUNTY'S PLANNING FOR THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR COUNTRY.
THE CULTURAL HERITAGE TEAM WILL BE WORKING TO PRESENT A JUNETEENTH CEREMONY ON THE COURTHOUSE GREEN.
WE WELCOME EVERYONE TO ATTEND.
THESE HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY WELL DONE.
GREAT SPOKEN WORD, ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, JUST A POWERFUL EVENT.
SO I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO JOIN US THAT NIGHT.
FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW, NOT ALL MUNICIPALITIES PARTICIPATE IN THE SOMERSET COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM, BUT WE ARE WORKING WITH THEM TO EXTEND RECIPROCAL BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS.
AND WE HAVE OTHER TOWNS THAT WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DISCUSSING THE SAME RELATIONSHIP WITH NOW.
SO THAT'S ANOTHER WAY OF BRINGING ALL SERVICES UNDER THAT SAME UMBRELLA TO HELP PEOPLE.
THE LGBT ADVISORY BOARD OUR PICNIC IS ON THURSDAY, 5:30 AT DUKE ISLAND PARK.
WE'LL HAVE SOME ENTERTAINMENT, WE'LL HAVE SOME RESOURCE TABLES.
BUT WE'D LOVE TO SEE YOU THERE.
IT'S JUST A REALLY NICE NIGHT.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE COMMISSION FOR THE STATUS OF WOMEN WORKED IN CONJUNCTION WITH PAUL GRZELLA'S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TEAM, AND THEY HOSTED A SOMERSET COUNTY HIRING AND COMMUNITY RESOURCE EVENT.
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REALLY GOOD. YES, THAT'S GREAT NEWS.SO GREAT. THANK YOU FOR WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH THE TEAM ON THAT.
IT HELPS THE COMMUNITY OVERALL.
NUMBER OF SERIES OF WORKSHOPS THAT I DID ATTEND.
ONE OF THEM WAS ON WIND POWER, AND I CAN SAY THAT THAT EFFORT IS STILL ON THE HORIZON BUT IT DESCRIBED HOW COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE HELPING PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THIS NEW INDUSTRY AND CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, BODES WELL FOR SOMERSET COUNTY.
I CAN SEE RVCC BEING PART OF THAT INDUSTRY LOOKING AHEAD.
ALSO, A VERY INTERESTING GIS APPLICATION ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE WAS PRESENTED BY AT&T.
THEY'RE DOING SOME SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN THEIR OWN AS A CORPORATION.
THEY DID DEVELOP A PROGRAM CALLED CLIMRR.
C L I M R R IS A POWERFUL GIS TOOL THAT CAN HELP BETTER INFORM BOTH BUSINESS DECISIONS AND POLICY MAKERS AND ALSO INTEGRATE WITH OTHER LOCAL GIS APPLICATIONS.
CERTAINLY LIKE THE ONE WE HAVE AT SOMERSET COUNTY.
SO LOOK FORWARD TO INTEGRATING THAT.
AND CERTAINLY THE BEST OF ALL I ATTENDED WAS A WORKSHOP ON OPEN SPACE PLANNING EFFORTS WITH OUR OWN WALTER LANE AND DIRECTOR ROBINSON PRESENTING ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT SOMERSET COUNTY IS DOING ABOUT OUR PRESERVATION PLAN.
SO I WANT TO SAY I WANT TO COMMEND YOU.
THAT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION YOU GAVE, AND CERTAINLY WE WERE WELL REPRESENTED, COMMISSIONER.
CERTAINLY BRINGING THE COLOR IN THE SPRING AT THE HOLI FESTIVAL.
AND BUT I ALSO FOUND MYSELF HAVING TO GO TO AN EVENT AT NIGHT JUST AFTER THAT EVENT IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, AND I WAS REALIZED I'M NOT TOO FAR FROM HOME.
SO I QUICKLY RAN HOME, CHANGED, TOOK A SHOWER, RAN OUT TO AN EVENT AT THE FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP YOUTH CENTER, WHERE THEY HAD THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AT THE YOUTH CENTER. AND I ACTUALLY GOT TO BE A JUDGE AND A REFEREE.
SO I TOOK MY COAT OFF, TOOK MY JACKET OFF.
[LAUGHTER] BUT IT WAS IT WAS GOOD.
AND THEN SUNDAY MORNING, THIS PAST MORNING, I HELPED PLANT SOME TREES AT FLAGTOWN PARK IN HILLSBOROUGH SPONSORED BY WHAT I'VE LEARNED NOW IS AN INCREDIBLE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THE WE LOVE YOU FOUNDATION AND THEIR CEO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HAS A GOAL TO PLANT OVER 1 MILLION TREES. WE PLANTED ABOUT 50 IN HILLSBOROUGH ON COUNTY ON MUNICIPAL PARK PROPERTY, BUT CERTAINLY WOULD WELCOME ALSO SENATOR ZWICKER AND ASSEMBLYMAN FREIMAN, MAYOR LIPANI FROM HILLSBOROUGH.
AND IT REALLY SHOWED HOW VOLUNTEER SPIRIT CAN COME OUT AND DO GOOD THINGS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
SO HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE HEARING BACK FROM THEM AS WELL.
WE HAVE A FEW EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS WITH THE COMMITTEE AWARDS.
SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS FOR ONE STOP.
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LEFT.ALL RIGHT. THIS IS GREAT I HAVE [INAUDIBLE] KING. OKAY. [LAUGHTER].
THIS IS CERTAINLY PART OF OUR EFFORT WITHIN SOMERSET COUNTY TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANT WORK.
THIS IS A SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD.
THANK YOU. SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD.
REALLY WITHIN THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR REALLY EXTENDING YOUR ABILITY FOR TRAINING AND ACHIEVING THE CERTIFIED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL, WHICH IS THROUGH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS.
AND THE CERTIFICATION REQUIRES STAFF TO BE INDEPENDENTLY COMPLETE, EIGHT HOURS OF INSTRUCTION, A SERIES OF EXAMS AND A FINAL CERTIFICATION EXAM ALSO REQUIRES ONE YEAR EXPERIENCE WORKING IN THE FIELD OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
AND CERTAINLY I WANT TO APPRECIATE ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU DO NOW, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON EARNING THIS CREDENTIAL FOR THE COUNTY AND REALLY ON YOUR OWN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BEHALF.
LIKE THAT'S WHAT. OKAY, SO NOW I'M ON.
SO JOHN LITERALLY SAVED A LIFE.
HE IS ONE OF OUR PUBLIC TRANSIT DRIVERS.
HE IS WHAT SYMBOLIZES WHAT OUR SOMERSET COUNTY EMPLOYEES DO FOR OTHERS AND TAKE THAT EXTRA STEP.
JOHN FOUND AN UNRESPONSIVE PASSENGER ON HIS BUS.
HE REACTED QUICKLY AND SAVED HER LIFE.
THEY WERE DISPATCHED IMMEDIATELY.
OUR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS CAME.
THIS WOMAN IS ALIVE TODAY BECAUSE OF JOHN.
SO I THINK TO MYSELF, THAT COULD HAVE BEEN MY DAUGHTER.
I'LL THANK YOU FROM HER MOTHER.
ALL RIGHT. SO, JOHN, I AM THRILLED TO GIVE YOU THIS.
[APPLAUSE] SO WE HAVE SEVERAL COMMUNICATIONS, A LETTER FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NOTIFYING US THAT APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE NJDOT FISCAL YEAR 2024 STATE AID.
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ACCUMULATED WITH RESPECT TO SOLAR RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATE FINANCE COMPONENT FINANCING COMPONENT.AND THEN WE NOW HAVE OUR PRESENTATION OF OUR 2023 COUNTY BUDGET.
I AM GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO STAND BEFORE YOU TO SHARE THE 2023 BUDGET PRESENTATION, MY FIRST BUDGET PRESENTATION, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR PUTTING THEIR TRUST IN ME AND PROMOTING ME TO CFO.
AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK COLLEEN FOR HAVING MY BACK AS WELL.
AND THEN THERE'S PLENTY OF PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM WHO HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE.
AND JOE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT AS WELL.
SO OUR MISSION STATEMENT, THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET IS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IN PUBLIC SERVICE, PROMOTING WELL-BEING OF ALL RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT AND RESPONSIVE LEADERSHIP.
SO OUR 2023 BUDGET DIRECTIVES, YOU CAN PROBABLY PUT THEM ALL UP THERE.
SO OUR 2023 BUDGET, IT FUNDS ALL EXISTING SERVICES.
AND IT ALSO PRESENTS A WELL THOUGHT OUT BUDGET FUNDED BY A SENSIBLE TAX RATE.
AND WE'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TAX RATE AS WE GO FORWARD.
SO IN 2022, WHERE DID YOUR TAX DOLLAR GO? WELL, THIS IS PRETTY TYPICAL OF MOST YEARS.
$0.63 OF A TAX DOLLAR IS NORMALLY GOING TO FUND THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND $0.19 OF YOUR TAX DOLLAR FUNDS YOUR LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, AND THEN $0.14 IS ALLOCATED TO THE COUNTY AND ITS INITIATIVES.
THIS IS OUR 22 VERSES 23 COST DRIVERS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE OUT OF THE COUNTY'S CONTROL, MEANING THAT WE HAVE TO WE HAVE OBLIGATIONS THAT WE HAVE TO FUND.
SO THE FIRST IS HEALTH INSURANCE.
THERE'S AN INCREASE OF $237,925.
OUR SOCIAL SERVICES IS UP $75,000.
AND THAT'S BECAUSE THEY EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE IN THEIR STATE HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN.
SO WE'RE SUPPORTING THEM WITH THAT.
WE HAVE OUR DEFERRED CHARGE FOR THE IDA RECOVERY.
WE SET UP A $10 MILLION DOLLAR EMERGENCY FOR HURRICANE IDA.
AND IF YOU RECALL, WE ASSISTED THE MUNICIPALITIES IN DEBRIS CLEAN UP, AND WE HAD TO ALSO FIX SOME OF OUR ROADWAYS AND BRIDGES.
SO THAT $2 MILLION DOLLARS IS OVER THE COURSE OF FIVE YEARS.
WE HAVE TO PAY THAT BACK AND WE HAVE A DEFERRED CHARGE.
AND THIS IS OUR SECOND YEAR OF THAT PAYMENT.
SO WE HAVE 6 MILLION MORE TO GO AND WE'LL BE PAYING THAT OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS AFTER THIS YEAR.
OUR DEBT SERVICE IS UP $2.6 MILLION DOLLARS.
THE COUNTY HAD A NOTE THAT IT PERMANENTLY FINANCED.
AND THEY WERE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR TRIPLE A BOND RATING TO GET LOWER RATES.
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HAVE BEEN AS LARGE AS IT WAS.AND MOST OF THE BUYERS PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE SUPPORTED US AND COMING IN WITH A LOWER RATE.
SO WE PARTICIPATED IN THAT AND THAT ALSO HELPED OUT THE MUNICIPALITIES.
THAT'S THE THREE PENSION PROGRAMS PERS PFRS AND OUR DCRP PROGRAM.
AND THEN OUR FRINGE RATE IS UP $406,000, AND THAT IS SOCIAL SECURITY, THE SOCIAL SECURITY FOR EMPLOYEES. SO AS MENTIONED, WE HAVE CONTROLLABLE AND OBLIGATED COSTS; 69% OF THE BUDGET IS COSTS THAT WE ARE OBLIGATED TO PAY, AND 31% ARE COSTS THAT ARE UNDER OUR CONTROL.
SO OUR REVENUES ARE UP OVERALL 4.43%.
THERE'S THE ASSUMPTION OF THE STATE COSTS.
AND OUR CHAPTER 370 FEES ARE ALSO FOR OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.
SO THOSE ARE DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO ANTICIPATE MORE REVENUE THAN WE COULD GENERATE IN THE YEAR BEFORE. SO THOSE ARE JUST DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
AND OVER THE COURSE OF LAST YEAR, WE EXCEEDED OUR ANTICIPATED SIX.
IT WAS ANTICIPATED AT 650 AND WE COLLECTED OVER $1 MILLION DOLLARS IN INTEREST.
THE SHARED SERVICES IS UP SLIGHTLY AND OUR SHARED SERVICES INCLUDE 911 COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES AND SERVICES ALSO PROVIDE SHARED SERVICES.
WE SHARE GASOLINE WITH OUR MUNICIPALITIES.
ENGINEERING ALSO PARTICIPATES IN SHARED SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION AND OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THE PENSION REIMBURSEMENT IS ACTUALLY THE LIBRARY'S PENSION IS INCLUDED WITH THE COUNTY'S.
SO WE DO AN ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES THEY HAVE VERSUS THEIR SALARIES.
AND WE CARVE THAT AMOUNT OUT AND THEY ACTUALLY GIVE THAT BACK TO US IN THE FORM OF REVENUE.
WE ARE USING THE SAME AMOUNT OF FUND BALANCE AS WE DID IN 2022.
AND THAT WILL BRING OUR TAX LEVY UP TO $221,882,385.
SO OUR EXPENDITURE SIDE, THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS ARE UP ABOUT 4.23%.
WE HAVE BUILT IN INCREASES MOSTLY FOR IT.
AS YOU ALL RECALL, WE HAD THE CYBER INCIDENT LAST YEAR, SO WE HAD TO MAKE A LOT OF MORE SECURE CHANGES AND THAT ACTUALLY IS COSTING US A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY THIS YEAR.
THE OUTSIDE AGENCIES, THEY'RE UP SLIGHTLY.
WE HAVE OUR REGULAR HEALTH INSURANCE AND THEN ALSO THE LIABILITY AND WORKERS COMP AND THOSE INSURANCES THROUGH OUR JOINT INSURANCE FUND.
SO THOSE ARE UP SLIGHTLY AS WELL.
AND THEN WE HAVE OUR STATE PROGRAM COSTS PENSIONS, AS I THINK I PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, ARE UP.
AND CAPITAL IS GOING TO REMAIN FLAT AT $3 MILLION.
AND DEBT SERVICE IS UP, AS I PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED.
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OUR DEFERRED CHARGE IS GOING TO BE THE $2 MILLION FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.AND THEN IN OUR OTHER EXPENSE CATEGORY, THAT INCLUDES OUR SOCIAL SECURITY INCREASES, THE VEHICLE ACQUISITIONS, THERE'S ENGINEERING PROJECTS IN THERE AND THE MATCH FOR GRANTS.
SO THAT'S UP SLIGHTLY AS WELL.
BUT THE NET OVERALL INCREASE IS 4.43%.
SO WE WERE ABLE TO REGENERATE FUND BALANCE LAST YEAR TO THE AMOUNT OF $1,096,998 DOLLARS. AND AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, WE ARE ONLY UTILIZING WE'RE UTILIZING THE SAME AMOUNT AS WE DID LAST YEAR, $23,790,000.
SO FOR SOME EXCITING NEWS, WE HAVE ANOTHER 5 BILLION NUMBER HERE.
OUR [INAUDIBLE] HAVE INCREASED 400.
WELL, I'M GOING TO ROUND IT UP TO ABOUT 5 BILLION OVER 2022.
SO WE WERE AT 68 BILLION AND TODAY WE'RE AT 73 BILLION.
SO THAT'S THE GROWTH IN ASSESSED VALUES.
SO FOR 2023, THE TAX EFFECTIVE RATE ON THE AVERAGE HOME, THE AVERAGE HOME VALUE HAS INCREASED TO $510,695 OVER 2022, WHERE IT WAS $476,772. SO IT'S A 7.12% INCREASE OVER 2022.
AND AS I MENTIONED, THE RATE ABLES ARE UP ALMOST 5 BILLION.
OUR COUNTY TAX LEVY IS COMING IN AT $221,882, 385. AND THAT WILL GIVE US A TOTAL BUDGET OF $266,346,509. SO THAT NUMBER REPRESENTS THE TAX LEVY PLUS THE REVENUE THAT WE ANTICIPATE.
SO THE TAX RATE IS ACTUALLY DECREASING AND IT'S GOING TO BE 0.3032.
AND THE AVERAGE HOME AT $510,000 WILL PAY AN ADDITIONAL $77.71 FOR COUNTY TAXES. SO THIS BUDGET ACCOMPLISHES SEVERAL OF OUR INITIATIVES.
IT MAINTAINS SIGNIFICANT PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
OUR 38 PARKS, OUR RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE AREAS, 248 MILES OF COUNTY ROADS AND 752 BRIDGES.
IT FUNDS COMPREHENSIVE HUMAN SERVICES OPERATIONS DURING A MENTAL HEALTH AND OR SUBSTANCE USE CRISIS.
AND IT PROVIDES VITAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO OUR WORKFORCE AND SENIORS.
IT ALSO SUPPORTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM AND PLANNING.
OFFERS NEARLY 200 SHARED SERVICES WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND SCHOOLS, AND IT PARTIALLY FUNDS OUR AFFILIATED AGENCIES, WHICH I MENTIONED SEVERAL OF THEM BEFORE.
INCLUDED ON THIS LIST IS ALSO THE SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP.
AND ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS THAT IT DOES, IT HELPS US TO MAINTAIN OUR COUNTY TRIPLE A BOND RATING.
SO WE ANTICIPATE THE SECOND READING OF THE BUDGET AND THE PUBLIC HEARING TO BE ON JUNE 13TH.
AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I WILL ENTERTAIN THEM TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
WELL, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND HERE.
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SO THE BUDGET, THE TOTAL INCREASE FOR THE BUDGET IS JUST OVER 4%.CORRECT, IN TERMS OF SPENDING? YES. AND I JUST NOTE THAT THAT IS UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS BELOW THE RATE OF INFLATION.
WHAT HE SAID. DID A GREAT JOB.
NO, GREAT JOB. [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU TO YOU AND THE STAFF.
SO WE'VE HAD OUR PRESENTATION AND WE WILL SET THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR JUNE 13TH AT 6:00 PM.
IS THERE A MOTION TO INTRODUCE THE 2023 COUNTY BUDGET AND SET THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR JUNE 13TH? SO MOVED. SECOND.
ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
SINGLETERRY. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
RESOLUTION 23-1000 IS APPROVING A PERFORMANCE BOND RELEASE FOR 58 MOUNT BETHEL ROAD, INC AS PRINCIPAL BOND SAFEGUARD THIS IS A RELEASE OF A SURETY IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,005 FOR A PROJECT ON COUNTY RIGHT OF WAY ON MOUNT BETHEL ROAD IN WARREN TOWNSHIP.
THE NEXT RESOLUTION 1001 IS A RESOLUTION OF AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE NORTH JERSEY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AUTHORITY'S FISCAL YEAR 21 FREIGHT CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT STUDY FOR THE PORT READING SECONDARY SOUTH MAIN STREET GRADE CROSSING ELIMINATION PROJECT.
THIS WOULD GRADE SEPARATE THAT ONTO A SEPARATE RIGHT OF WAY.
AND THIS IS JUST THE INITIAL CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT PLANNING WORK FOR THAT.
SO THIS WILL ADVANCE THROUGH THE PLANNING PROCESS, ENGINEERING AND DESIGN FOR FUTURE DESIGN.
SO THIS IS SOUTH BOUND BROOK INBOUND BROOK.
BOTH ARE ADOPTING SIMILAR RESOLUTIONS OF SUPPORT.
AND LAST IS JUST AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF OUR FISCAL YEAR 2024 SUB-REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION WORK PROGRAM AND THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 SUB-REGIONAL SUPPORT WORK PROGRAM FROM TO THE NORTH JERSEY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AUTHORITY.
THIS IS THE SAME AMOUNT OF FUNDING AS LAST YEAR.
23-1003 IS AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE STATE CRIMINAL ALIEN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 AND ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDING IF AWARDED.
23-1004 AUTHORIZED THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE TO APPLY TO THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE FOR FEDERAL BULLETPROOF VEST PARTNERSHIP GRANT FOR BOTH THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTIONS DIVISIONS FOR THE YEAR 2023 AND TO ACCEPT FUNDING IF AWARDED.
23-1005 AUTHORIZING THE SOMERSET COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY TO APPLY AND ACCEPT FUNDING UP TO $11,632 FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONTINUING THE RIGHT TO KNOW PROGRAM COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CONTROL PLAN AT THE COUNTY LEVEL UNDER THE STATE FISCAL YEAR 2024.
RIGHT TO KNOW GRANT FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1ST, 2023 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2024.
RESOLUTION 1006 AUTHORIZING THE SOMERSET COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO APPLY AND ACCEPT FUNDING FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THE STRATEGIC STRENGTHENING LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH GRANT PATHWAY B UP TO $50,000 FOR THE GRANT PERIOD OF JULY 1ST, 2023 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2024.
23-1007 IS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH MULTIPLE MUNICIPALITIES.
AND THIS IS FOR THE RECYCLING TONNAGE REPORTS AS WE ARE A CERTIFIED RECYCLING PROFESSIONAL AGENCY.
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SO WE SIGNED TONNAGE REPORTS FOR MUNICIPALITIES WHO DON'T HAVE ONE, AND IT'S AT A RATE OF $44.38 PER HOUR.23-1008 IS AWARDING THE THIRD YEAR OF A FIVE YEAR CONTRACT CC-0149-21 TO COUNTY BUSINESS SYSTEMS FOR THE SURROGATE'S OFFICE NOT TO EXCEED $34,320 AND 23-1009 IS AWARDING THE SECOND YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT FOR CC-0001-22, WHICH IS THE OFFICE SUPPLIES CONTRACT FOR THE COUNTY AND FOR THE COOP.
23-1010 IS FOR RICHARD HALL, COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER.
AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT AND PAYMENT TO PRINCETON INSURANCE COMPANY OF PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY, FOR THE PURCHASE OF MALPRACTICE INSURANCE FOR RICHARD HALL CENTER STAFF FOR THE PERIOD JUNE 1ST, 2023 TO JUNE 1ST, 24.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $34,833.32.
23-1011 AUTHORIZING A PURCHASE FROM CIOCCA FORD OF FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY.
NEW JERSEY STATE CONTRACT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $53,139.40.
23-1012 AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF ALL BAND PORTABLE RADIOS FROM MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS FOR HAZMAT RESPONSE UTILIZING THE NEW JERSEY STATE CONTRACT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $56,714.
THIRD YEAR OF A THREE YEAR CONTRACT NOT TO EXCEED $15,000.
1014 IS AUTHORIZING FINAL PAYMENT TO T.R.
WENIGER FOR THE NEW POND AERATION SYSTEM AT LORD STIRLING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER.
WE'RE DOING NINE ROADS AND 122 MILES OF CRACKS.
AND LAST IS 1016, WHICH IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO ASPHALT PAVING SYSTEMS FOR OUR SLURRY SEAL PAVEMENT NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $1,259,064.30.
THIS IS THE FOURTH YEAR OF OUR PROGRAM THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING SIX ROADS THIS YEAR FOR 8.5 MILES.
23-1017 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO GRAFAS PAINTING CONTRACTORS AND THIS IS FOR PATCHING AND PAINTING OF THE COMMON AREAS AND THE PLANNING DIVISION TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $18,277.45.
23-1018 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO PCC ITS PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE CONTROL AND THIS IS FOR REPLACEMENT OF AN HVAC SYSTEM AT THE TRANSPORTATION BUILDING TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $19,008.85.
23-1019 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO PEMBERTON ELECTRICAL SUPPLY.
23-1020 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO MILLENNIUM MECHANICAL AND PROFESSIONAL CLIMATE CONTROL.
THIS IS FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF OUR HVAC SYSTEMS AND BOILERS.
IT'S THE THIRD YEAR OF A THREE YEAR CONTRACT AND THE TOTAL IS NOT TO EXCEED $108,800.
23-1021 IS AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT TO AUTO ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS AND SCHAFER PLASTICS.
THIS IS FOR THE MANUFACTURING OF OUR ROLLOUT CARTS OR TOTES.
IT'S THE FIRST YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $150,000.
23-1022 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD A CONTRACT TO MULTIPLE VENDORS FOR OUR RECYCLING OF TREES, BRUSH STUMPS, LEAVES, LOGS, CHIPS AND WOOD PALLETS. IT'S THE SECOND YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $10,000.
23-1023 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO NATIONAL FUEL OIL IT'S FOR UNLEADED GASOLINE.
AND IT'S THE SECOND YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $5,000.
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[INAUDIBLE] RESOLUTION 1025 IS A CONFIRMING ORDER TO DUKE FARMS FOUNDATION IN HILLSBOROUGH FOR THE BREAKFAST FOR THE ESG EVENT, FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ATTRACTION RETENTION EVENT THAT WE HAD ON APRIL 14TH.23-1027. AUTHORIZING THE CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS.
TOTAL AMOUNT IS NOT TO EXCEED $395,764.84.
23-1028 IS APPROVAL TO PAY THE TREASURER FOR STATE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES FOR OVERPAYMENT TO THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET FOR CONTRACT 22-927-ADA THE TOTAL IS NOT TO EXCEED $226,160.
23-1029 IS AMENDING RESOLUTION R23-724, WHICH CONTAIN TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS RELATED TO THE AMOUNTS REDUCED NEEDED TO AUTHORIZE THE PROPER CLOSING OF TWO OPEN 2022 TO BLANKET PURCHASE ORDERS FOR LABCORP AND SPRUCE INDUSTRIES.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE REDUCTION IS NOT TO EXCEED $9,976.68.
AND 23-1030 IS AMENDING RESOLUTION 23-725, WHICH CONTAINED AN ERROR IN THE AMOUNT AUTHORIZED FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO CFG HEALTH SYSTEMS. THE INITIAL AMOUNT AUTHORIZED WAS $185,348.92.
THE CORRECTED AMOUNT IS $185,384.92.
SO THE TOTAL DIFFERENCE IS NOT TO EXCEED $36.
CONTRACT PHARMACY SERVICES FOR $33,331.55 AND ATLANTIC TACTICAL FOR $6,296.10.
A TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE REDUCTION IS NOT TO EXCEED $39,627.65.
AUTHORIZES THE CANCELLATION OF CERTIFICATE OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER LAINE FEDERAL SOLUTIONS NOT TO EXCEED 5000 QUALIFACTS OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.
NOT TO EXCEED $10,731.37 RELIAS LLC OF MORRISVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA.
NOT TO EXCEED $1,277.18 TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $17,008.55.
23-1033 IS THE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AND RATIFYING OF THE SAME.
23-1034 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH PRIMARY CARE SERVICES FOR PHYSICIAN SERVICES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO EMPLOYEES. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $950.
23-1035 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO AUTOMATED ACCESS SYSTEMS AND SDG.
IT'S FOR SERVICE CALL REPAIRS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $3,786.50.
20-1036 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO MULTIPLE VENDORS, ONE BEING THE CLEANING VENDOR TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $457,203.73.
23-1037 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO XEROX CORPORATION.
IT'S FOR THREE MONTHS OF THE COPIER RENTAL TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $409.50.
23-1038 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO BAYSHORE RECYCLING AND COLGATE PAPER.
IT'S FOR OUR RECYCLING COMMODITIES TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $64,803.65.
23-1039 IS AMENDING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR R22-1915.
[00:50:09]
AND THIS IS CLOSING OUT.SO IT'S NOT A COST WE'RE REDUCING IT AND THE TOTAL IS NOT TO EXCEED $50,000.
23-1040 IS AUTHORIZING A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS.
IT'S FOR GUIDE RAIL AND GUIDE RAIL PARTS TO CHEMUNG SUPPLY CORPORATION AND ROAD SAFETY SYSTEMS. NOT TO SORRY, TOTAL, NOT TO EXCEED $43,200.
23-1041 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO MULTIPLE PARTS AND REPAIR VENDORS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $6,639.01. 23-1042 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO MULTIPLE PARTS AND REPAIR VENDORS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $65,000.
23-1043 IS AMENDING ANOTHER RESOLUTION R 23-553.
THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD THE ABOVE RESOLUTIONS? 23-1000 THROUGH 23-1043 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR MAY 23RD MEETING.
MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETERRY.
SORRY. 23-959 IS RESOLUTION APPROVING A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH GLOBAL RIGHT MUSIC LLC FOR THE USE OF MUSIC AT COUNTY EVENTS.
23-960 IS A RESOLUTION REJECTING ALL RESPONSES FOR CYCOM 74-23 FOR ON-SITE PHARMACY SERVICES FOR THE RICHARD HALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER.
23-961 IS ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY EMERGENCY BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE YEAR 2023 IN ACCORDANCE WITH NJSA 4-20, PRIMARILY FOR THE COUNTY DIVISION, SALARY AND OPERATING EXPENSES.
23-962 AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF A 2023 FORD F-250 WITH FACTORY OPTIONS, INCLUDING THE SNOW PLOW FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $62,599.
23-963 IS AMENDED RESOLUTION R23-521 ADOPTED MARCH 14TH, 2023 FOR RICH TREE SERVICE SOUTH PLAINFIELD FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT WHICH CONTAINED INCORRECT PRICING DUE TO A CLERICAL ERROR.
SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
YES. COME TO THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING.
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK COME UP FIVE MINUTES.
AND WE DO TAKE QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA AND FROM EMAIL.
SO IS THERE ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK? OH, IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO PUBLIC? MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYES HAVE IT. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. JOAN SCHILLER WARREN.
I DIDN'T KNOW YOU SERVED IN THE AIR FORCE.
LET ME FIRST THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
THANK YOU. EVEN TONIGHT, I AM TRULY IMPRESSED WITH ALL THE EVENTS YOU GUYS GO TO.
AND CDC AND EVEN THE PRESIDENT SAID COVID IS DONE, THE EMERGENCY IS OVER.
AND EVEN TONIGHT, THERE'S A $350,000 COVID VACCINE ON YOUR REGULAR AGENDA THAT I WOULD THINK MAYBE YOU WOULD TAKE OUT. BUT YOU ALSO KNOW, I'VE BEEN ASKING ABOUT THE TENS OF THOUSANDS GOING TO FOR COVID THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.
CAN THOSE CONTRACTS BE CANCELED? WILL THAT MONEY COME BACK TO THE COUNTY? THANK YOU. DO YOU WANT TO? BUT EVEN THOUGH THE EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED OVER, THERE STILL HAS BEEN FUNDING ALLOCATED FOR VACCINE SERVICES.
[00:55:03]
THOSE SOME VACCINE SERVICES EVEN CONTINUE WITHOUT EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS.AS FAR AS THE CANCELLATION OF CONTRACTS, I THINK MELISSA WOULD BE ABLE TO BETTER ANSWER.
WHEN WE AWARDED THEM THEIR FIRST YEAR OF SECOND YEAR.
THE PUBLIC, EVEN IF THE PUBLIC EMERGENCY WERE OVER, SINCE WE ALREADY HAVE THOSE CONTRACTS IN PLACE AND THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY JUST FOR COVID VACCINES, WE WOULD CONTINUE TO KEEP THEM IN PLACE IN CASE WE HAD A HEPATITIS BREAKOUT OR ANY KIND OF WHERE WE NEEDED TO MOBILIZE QUICKLY.
WE WOULD STILL UTILIZE THOSE CONTRACTS FOR THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
BUT THE MAJORITY OF CONTRACTS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF HEALTH RIGHT NOW ARE GRANT FUNDED.
THE COVID FUNDING THAT WE'VE BEEN SPENDING IS GRANT MONEY THAT WE GOT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
TO SPEAK. SO THERE WAS ONE COMMENT ONLINE THAT I KNOW MIKE FROST AND I HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THAT OUR CLOSED CAPTION DOESN'T NECESSARILY FUNCTION PROPERLY. SOMETIMES IT COMES UP GARBLED.
WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THAT TO GET THAT UP AND RUNNING.
AND HARRY B [INAUDIBLE] CALLED FROM FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
AND GREG MANARINO SAYS INFLATION IS 11% OVER, WHICH IS JUST ANOTHER TAX ON THE PEOPLE.
AND THAT'S ALL THE COMMENTS WE HAVE.
ALL RIGHT, SEEING NOTHING FURTHER FROM THE PUBLIC.
IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING? MOTION. SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT.
WE WILL THEN.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.