HAVE IT. TIME NOW IS 603, SO WE WILL MOVE RIGHT INTO OUR REGULAR MEETING.
[PROCLAMATION]
[00:00:16]
ANY ADDITIONAL COMMISSIONER COMMENTS? A REPORTS. ALL RIGHT.WE HAVE. IS MR. KATZ OR MR. NEIL HERE? PLEASE COME FORWARD.
CURBING HUNGER MONTH PRESENTED BY COMMISSIONER DRAKE.
JUST FOR THE RECORD, MR. KATZ WAS MY FATHER.
BECAUSE. WE'RE HERE TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT CURBING HUNGER MONTH FOR JUNE 2023.
AND WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR THESE NICE FOLKS HERE.
WHEREAS THE UNITED STATES ENJOYS ONE OF THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF LIVING IN THE WORLD, YET MILLIONS OF AMERICANS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
AND. WHEREAS, ACCORDING TO FEEDING AMERICA, MORE THAN 81 88,112 PEOPLE, NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE FOOD INSECURE, WHICH MEANS THEY DO NOT HAVE RELIABLE ACCESS TO ENOUGH, AFFORDABLE AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD.
AND. WHEREAS, EVERY EVERY COUNTY IN AMERICA FACES FOOD SHORTAGES, INCLUDING SOMERSET COUNTY, WHERE MORE THAN 17,000 RESIDENTS ARE FOOD INSECURE, INCLUDING 1300 CHILDREN.
AND. WHEREAS, SOMERSET COUNTY FOOD PANTRIES HAVE LOWER FOOD SUPPLIES DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. AND.
WHEREAS, CURBING HUNGER WAS FOUNDED TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF SOMERSET COUNTY'S FOOD INSECURE RESIDENTS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS AND YEAR ROUND.
AND. WHEREAS, SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1995, CURBING HUNGER INC.
HAS COLLECTED AND DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN 3 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD STATEWIDE VALUED AT OVER $5 MILLION.
AND. WHEREAS, THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, THE FOOD BANK NETWORK OF SOMERSET COUNTY, THE SOMERSET COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM, THE SOMERSET COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MUNICIPAL PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS, THE SOMERSET COUNTY RECYCLING DIVISION AND BUSINESS PARTNERS CURBING HUNGER HAS COLLECTED MORE THAN 2.4 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HEREBY PROCLAIMS JUNE 2023 TO BE CURBING HUNGER MONTH IN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE BY DONATING FOOD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO WE'D LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING HERE.
SURE. I'D JUST LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS AND EVERYBODY IN SOMERSET COUNTY FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT CURBING HUNGER NOW IN ITS 29TH YEAR.
WHEN THIS STARTED, YOU KNOW, THERE PROBABLY WAS BARELY EVEN AN INTERNET AND WE DO AN ONLINE DRIVE NOW AND EVERYTHING, SO IT'S BEEN GREAT.
WE STILL COLLECT IT THE OLD FASHIONED WAY AND THE ORANGE BAGS.
SURE. I HAVE TO TELL EVERYBODY A FUNNY STORY.
SO A GROUP OF RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HELPED US MAKE SOME LAWN SIGNS.
AND THE SIGNS THEY THEY CAME UP WITH A REAL BRIEF MESSAGE SO PEOPLE COULD SEE IT AS THEY WERE DRIVING BY, JUST AS.
SO I HAVE TWO OF THESE SIGNS OUT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, OF COURSE.
AND I CAME HOME LAST FRIDAY AND I'M LOOKING AT THE BAGS GOING, WHY ARE BAGS LAYING ON THE GROUND? AND I WENT OUT TO THE SIGNS AND SOMEBODY HAD ACTUALLY FILLED THE BAGS THAT WERE TIED TO THE SIGNS WITH FOOD.
SO I PICKED THEM UP, PUT NEW BAGS ON THEM, AND HOPEFULLY THEY'LL GET FILLED UP AGAIN.
BUT I IMAGINE YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING, STEVE? YEAH, JUST REAL QUICK.
SO I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW, I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE FOOD BANK NETWORK OF SOMERSET COUNTY.
THAT'S THE RECIPIENT OF MOST OF THE THE FOOD THAT WE GET THROUGH CURBING HUNGER.
SO TWO THINGS I WANT TO I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT.
ONE IS THAT AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ABOVE OR WE'RE TRACKING ABOVE LAST YEAR IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT OF FOOD THAT WE'RE COLLECTING.
NO GUARANTEES, BUT I HOPE THAT THAT'LL BE GOOD NEWS.
THAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE END OF THE MONTH.
THE OTHER THING IS, I WAS IN TRENTON TODAY AND I WAS IN MEETINGS WITH THE NEW JERSEY OFFICE OF THE FOOD SECURITY ADVOCATE.
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW, NEW JERSEY IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT HAS APPOINTED AND DEVELOPED AN OFFICE OF A FOOD SECURITY ADVOCATE.
AND THIS OFFICE WORKS DIRECTLY FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY.
AND WE'RE COLLABORATING WITH THAT OFFICE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
WE'RE GOING TO BE MAKING INTRODUCTIONS VERY SOON BETWEEN THAT OFFICE AND MIKE FROST, THE DIRECTOR OF THE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.
SO THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN SOMERSET COUNTY AND THE STATE AND AND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE
[00:05:06]
MYSELF IS ONLY GOING TO GROW DEEPER AND RICHER.SO I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT AND THAT WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE DOING AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THIS IN THE FUTURE AS WELL.
YEAH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
TRYING TO GET GOOGLE TO GIVE ME THE PRONUNCIATION OF SOME OF THESE NAMES, BUT WE
[APPOINTMENTS]
HAVE APPOINTMENTS TO THE YOUTH COUNCIL RESOLUTION 20 3-116 FOR ACUTE ASHNA ISABELLA ZAVALA AND KAYLA, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION? OKAY. ROLL CALL, PLEASE.BLESS YOU. IS THERE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR OUR MAY 23RD, 2023 MEETING?
[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
SO MOVE. SECOND.ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
SINGLETERRY. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. AND THIS IS TO ESTABLISH THE COUNTY PUBLIC HEARING 2023
[2023 COUNTY BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING]
BUDGET. NO, IT'S ACTUALLY THE.YOU HAVE TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET AS INTRODUCED.
SO THIS IS THE PUBLIC HEARING THAT WAS ADVERTISED.
THERE ARE NO COMMENTS ONLINE OR ON FACEBOOK, BUT YOU NEED TO OPEN UP THE BUDGET HEARING.
YEAH. FOR THE BUDGET AS INTRODUCED.
YES. YEAH, I DIDN'T GET THAT FAR.
SO IT IS THE 22 COUNTY BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING 23 990 2023 BUDGET AS INTRODUCED ON MAY 9TH, 2023. IT'S A MOTION TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC MOTION.
SECOND, ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
COMMISSIONER DRAKE. COMMISSIONER MARANO.
YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETERRY.
YES. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS? RESOLUTION ONLY OR ORDINANCE ONLY.
YEAH, I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
ALL RIGHT, COME ON. FIVE MINUTES.
NO USING THE TIME. MY NAME IS HARRY ARBOS.
I'D LIKE TO SAY I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT SPENDING SEEMS LIKE IT'S OUT OF CONTROL IN GOVERNMENT. I MEAN, THIS IS WAR MONEY USED ILLEGALLY.
AND. A FRIEND OF MINE, LIKE I SAY, A FRIEND OF MINE.
DREW, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE.
I'M TRYING TO EXPLAIN SOMETHING HERE TO YOU.
EXPLAIN SOMETHING TO YOU, MISS.
I UNDERSTAND, SIR, BUT ARE YOU SAYING IS ARE YOU SPEAKING ON THE INTRODUCED BUDGET FROM MAY 9TH? THAT'S YES, I'M SPEAKING ON THAT.
I'M SAYING THAT YOU YOU CAN'T.
YOU CAN'T SPEND MORE MONEY THAN YOU'RE GETTING IN AND INFLATION IS MISCALCULATED.
SO A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF INFLATION ON THE BACKS OF THE MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE.
AND I THINK IT'S OUTRAGEOUS MYSELF.
I MEAN, I'VE BEEN FIGHTING THIS FOR.
SO I'VE BEEN IN THE FIGHT FOR A LONG TIME.
I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIGHT THIS INSANE SPENDING AT DIFFERENT LEVELS.
AND GOVERNMENTS JUST OUT OF CONTROL.
I MEAN, SOME OF THE STUFF I SEE YOU SPEND THE MONEY ON, LIKE WHAT, THE GOLF COURSE THERE? I DON'T KNOW, CLEAN THE POOLS.
AND WHAT WAS THAT? I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.
AND THEN PORTABLE, WHAT WAS IT, 30, 40,000 FOR PORTABLE EMERGENCY SHELTERS.
[00:10:09]
YOU KNOW, WE. UH.I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED THAT THIS COUNTRY COMES UNDER ATTACK BECAUSE THE CHINESE HAVE SPIES IN ALASKA AT THE MILITARY BASE.
THEY HAVE SPIES AT THE BASE AT KEY WEST.
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BUDGET.
WHAT I'M SAYING IS THIS IS ALL GOING TO RELATE TO HOW WE'RE PREPARED.
BUT THIS IS THE HEARING ON THE.
ALL RIGHT. NOT TO CHINA OR INFLATION.
WELL, I SEE A LOT OF ITEMS THAT SEEM LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF EXCESS SPENDING AND IT SHOULD BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL.
THERE SHOULD BE A PLAN TO START SUBTRACTING THE INFLATION ON THE BUDGET.
IF THERE'S INFLATION ON THE BUDGET, THAT SHOULD BE REDUCED.
I MEAN, I GREW UP WHEN I WAS A KID, I HAD TO GROW UP.
I DIDN'T HAVE HEAT IN THE HOUSE.
MY UNCLE TAUGHT ME HOW TO BE TOUGH, SO I USED TO BE A BULLFIGHTER, TOO, BECAUSE I HAD TO FIGHT THE BULLS.
BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE WITH THESE BUDGETS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS BECAUSE IT'S ALL PHONY.
IT'S A CROOKED MONEY SYSTEM TO BEGIN WITH.
HEY, YOU CAN SPEND AS MUCH MONEY YOU GOT, BUT WHO THE HELL IS GOING TO PAY FOR THAT? YOU THINK WE CAN PAY ANY TO DEBT OFF WE GOT? I'M JUST SAYING WE GOT TO CUT SPENDING.
I UNDERSTAND. WHEN THE COUNTRY GOES INTO A DEPRESSION, WHICH IT'LL COME BECAUSE RICK BARRIO SAID THAT IT'S UNSUSTAINABLE, THAT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE'RE SPENDING IN THIS COUNTRY SO PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD A LOT OF THIS, THEIR GOVERNMENT SPENDING.
THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. ALL RIGHT.
I'LL LET IT GO AT THAT, BECAUSE THAT'S THE TRUTH.
I THINK YOU'VE MADE YOUR POINT.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO COME FORWARD TO SPEAK ON THE BUDGET AS INTRODUCED ON MAY 9TH? HEARING NONE.
SEEING NONE. IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC? SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. AYES HAVE IT.
AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2023 SOMERSET COUNTY BUDGET WITH A PUBLIC HEARING OF 23 1149, SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2023 BUDGET FOR JUNE 27TH AT 6 P.M..
IS THERE A MOTION TO INTRODUCE THE AMENDMENT FOR THE JUNE 27TH MEETING AT 6 P.M.? SO MOVED. SECOND.
RIGHT? YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO.
YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETERRY.
GOOD EVENING. SO AFTER INTRODUCTION OF THE BUDGET IN MAY, WE WERE ASKED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO IDENTIFY IF WE COULD MAKE SOME FURTHER ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BUDGET AND BETWEEN THE STATE REVIEW THE REQUEST BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND WORKING WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR MAHR, I'M PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION, SO I'M GOING TO KIND OF SKIP THROUGH, YEAH, SLIDE SIX, WHICH KIND OF HIGHLIGHTS WHERE WE ARE TODAY WITH REGARD TO THE CUTS THAT WE MADE.
AND I WILL HAVE TO READ THE AMENDMENT IN FULL.
SO I'M GOING TO ASK FOR YOUR INDULGENCE THERE, BUT WE'LL GO OVER THE CHANGES HERE.
SO PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE BUDGET WAS INTRODUCED, WE WERE AT AN AVERAGE HOME ANNUAL TAX AT $77.71.
AND THROUGH ALL OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT WE MADE, WE GOT IT DOWN TO $63.41.
THE COUNTY LEVY IS $219,000,830 AND I'M SORRY, $219,830,471. AND YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR ME READ THAT NUMBER OUT QUITE FREQUENTLY IN MY AMENDMENT. BUT THAT GIVES US A DOLLAR CHANGE OF $9,287,928
[00:15:04]
OVER 2022.AND WHEN WE INTRODUCED THE BUDGET, WE WERE AT 11,339,842.
THIS ALSO REDUCES THE TAX RATE SLIGHTLY.
SO WE'RE AT 0.30 I'M SORRY, 0.3032.
WHEN WE INTRODUCED IT AND NOW WE'RE DOWN TO 0.3004, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY DRIVES DOWN THE COST ON AN ANNUAL BASIS FOR THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER.
NOW, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS THERE, YOU WANT TO SEE ANY MORE DETAIL? IS AT WORK. THANK YOU.
I TOLD YOU, IT TAKES A VILLAGE.
OKAY, SO IF YOU'RE READY, I WILL.
I DO HAVE TO READ THE AMENDMENT INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD.
OKAY, SO RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE APPROVED BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY. WHEREAS THE LOCAL MUNICIPAL BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2023 WAS APPROVED ON THE 9TH OF MAY 2023. WHEREAS THE PUBLIC HEARING ON SAID BUDGET HAS BEEN HELD AND ADVERTISED.
AND. WHEREAS, IT IS DESIRED TO AMEND SAID APPROVED BUDGET.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, THAT THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS BE APPROVED TO THE BUDGET OF 2023 BE MADE. SO THE SUMMARY OF THE APPROVED BUDGET FOR YEAR 2023 TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS WENT FROM $308,706,883.99 TO 308,000,200 $214,491.99.
ANTICIPATED REVENUES WENT FROM EIGHT 86,824,498 AND $0.95 TO $88,384,020.85.
SO THE DIFFERENCE TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION IS $221,882,385.04 DOWN TO 219,830,471.
UNDER GENERAL REVENUES UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE SECTION.
SEE THE STATE ASSUMPTION OF COSTS OF COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES AND WELFARE SERVICES OR SUPPLEMENTAL. SOCIAL SECURITY WENT FROM $695,000 TO $731,892 UNDER MISCELLANEOUS REVENUES.
SECTION E SPECIAL ITEMS OF GENERAL REVENUE ANTICIPATED WITH WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE DIRECTOR. THE EXCUSE ME.
CAPITAL SURPLUS IS 1,400,000 DOWN TO 1,200,000.
FEMA REIMBURSEMENT IS 230,000 UP TO 2 MILLION.
AND ADDED AND OMITTED TAXES IS 900.
GOING FROM 900,000 TO $852,630.
THESE ARE THE SUBTOTALS CLOSING OUT THAT SECTION.
$63,034,498.85 TO $64,594,000. I'M SORRY.
$64,594,020.85. UNDER THE SUBTOTALS OF GENERAL REVENUE, IT'S $86,824,498.85. AND THAT IS GOING UP TO $88,384,020.85.
THE AMOUNT TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION IS GOING FROM $221,882,385.04 TO $219,830,471.14.
$308,706,883.99 TO $308,214,491.99. UNDER GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS.
[00:20:03]
OPERATIONS UNDER OPERATIONS FOR THE COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE.WE HAD TO SPLIT OUT THE AUDIT FEE.
SO THE OTHER EXPENSE IS GOING FROM $425,950 TO $96,450.
AND THE AUDIT FEE, WHICH WASN'T SHOWN, HAS BEEN CARVED OUT OF THAT OTHER EXPENSE AND IS NOW $329,500.
THE COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD.
THE ASSISTANCE FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN UNDER TANF WAS ORIGINALLY $150,000, AND IT'S GOING DOWN TO $139,841.
AND OUR SUPPLEMENTAL SOCIAL SECURITY WAS 695,000, GOING UP TO $731,892.
UNDER CORRECTIONAL, CORRECTIONAL AND PENAL.
THE JAIL SALARY AND WAGES IS $14,653,495.85 TO $14,403,495.85. OUR OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS UNDER THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND GOING FROM 3 MILLION DOWN TO 2 MILLION, 750,000 UNDER DEFERRED CHARGES AND STATUTORY EXPENSES. THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, THE OAC IS GOING FROM $6,751,758.16 TO $6,732,633.16. AND FINALLY TO TOTAL UP THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ON THE SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS UNDER OPERATIONS, THE SUBTOTAL, INCLUDING BE THE CONTINGENCY, IS $249,279,967.51 AND 249,056. 249 MILLION.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS GOING FROM $3,473,064.16 TO 3,000,002 23 AND $64.16.
A TOTAL STATUTORY EXPENDITURES $25,565,140.77 TO $25,546,015.77.
TOTAL GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS $308,706,883.99.
BE IT. FURTHER RESOLVED, THE AMENDED BUDGET RESOLUTION WILL BE ADVERTISED, ADVERTISED ON JUNE 21ST, 2023, AND A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE AMENDED BUDGET RESOLUTION WILL BE HELD AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING ON JUNE 27TH AT 6 P.M., AT WHICH TIME AND PLACE OBJECTIONS TO THE BUDGET AND TAX RESOLUTION FOR THE YEAR 2020 3RD MAY BE PRESENTED BY TAXPAYERS OR OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT TWO CERTIFIED COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION BE FILED WITH THE DIRECTOR OF DIVISION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES FOR APPROVAL, AND THIS WILL BE SIGNED OFF BY THE CLERK AND COUNCIL.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. THE PUBLIC HEARING IS SET FOR JUNE 27TH.
MRS CHILDRESS. I JUST WANTED TO COMPLIMENT YOU ON THIS AND I'D ALSO JUST MAKE A STATEMENT THAT I'M SO HAPPY THAT WE GOT THAT $2 MILLION FEMA REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE SAKE OF THE PUBLIC. THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET PUT UP $10 MILLION TO AID OUR RESIDENTS FOR CLEANUP, REPAIR AND ETCETERA FROM FROM HURRICANE IDA, WHO WASN'T EVEN A HURRICANE, SUPERSTORM IDA, WHATEVER WE WANT TO CALL HER.
BUT WE ARE FINALLY GETTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
SO THANKS TO THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET FOR HELPING OUR RESIDENTS AND FOR DOING SUCH GOOD WORK AND THE SPEEDY REPAIR THAT WE DID, IT IN WHICH THE REIMBURSEMENT CAME A LITTLE FASTER. BUT THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SURPLUS FOR RAINY DAYS, ESPECIALLY SUPERSTORM DAYS.
SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS AND THANKS FOR TAKING CARE OF IT.
[00:25:02]
OR I GUESS OTHER LARGER AREAS OF OUR BUDGET FOR CONTRACTS THAT ARE OPEN TO BE REVISITED AT THIS POINT OR ANY TIME WITHIN THE 2023 YEAR FOR JUST JUST GENERAL CONTRACTS.SO I KNOW ON LIKE, YOU KNOW, FOR OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THEY SAVED ABOUT $1.1 MILLION BY LOOKING AT A DIFFERENT ENERGY BROKER.
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT COSTS HAVE BEEN INCREASING.
BUT HAVE THESE AREAS BEEN EXPLORED IN DEPTH OR IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS TO EVEN BE REDUCED MORE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR? AND THIS IS JUST A TEMPLATE PER SE.
SO IT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD WE CAN DEFINITELY TAKE A LOOK AT.
I MEAN, I'M NOT SURE HOW QUICKLY WE WOULD EXPERIENCE THE SAVINGS, BUT YEAH, WE CAN DEFINITELY TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
SO WE COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE MORE SAVINGS.
SO FOR FUTURE WHAT WE SEE HERE, WELL, WE IF WE STRIKE THE BUDGET, ONCE WE STRIKE THE BUDGET, THAT WILL BE THAT'LL BE IT FOR 2023.
BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK AT MOVING FORWARD, LOOKING AT REDUCING SOME OF THE CONTRACTS.
BUT TO YOUR POINT, ANY FUTURE SAVINGS THIS YEAR? RIGHT. SO ANYTHING THAT WE CAN CANCEL AND WE YOU DO ROUTINELY SEE, ESPECIALLY FROM DPW AT THE END OF THE YEAR IN NOVEMBER, WE CANCEL A LOT OF CONTRACTS THAT GOES INTO SURPLUS, WHICH THEN REDUCES THE AMOUNT NEXT YEAR.
SO EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T AFFECT THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, IT STARTS MONEY SAVED IN NOVEMBER, HELPS YOU NEXT YEAR.
SO SO WE'LL BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THOSE THINGS.
ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE IN THE BUDGET ITSELF, I THINK.
FRANCE. ELEMENT OF THE BUDGET THAT'S CLEARLY SHOWN HERE.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES WERE AVAILABLE.
AND WE'RE VERY THANKFUL FOR, OBVIOUSLY THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THEIR SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
AND WE SHOULD BE GETTING MORE GRANTS AS WE GO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ONCE WE STRIKE THE BUDGET. SO I'LL BE COMING UP HERE TO INSERT THEM AS CHAPTER 159.
SO SHORT IS MORE FUNDING TO COME? ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR A JOB WELL DONE.
MR.. BOLINGER WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER PUBLIC SECTION COMING UP SHORTLY SO YOU CAN SPEAK AGAIN AT THAT TIME.
OKAY. MOVING ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA ]
MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 20 3-1100 THROUGH 23.SECOND. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
YES. MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 20 3-1105 THROUGH 23.
[AWARD OF CONTRACTS]
DASH 1125.SO MOVE. COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS.
SINGLETERRY. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 23.
[FINANCE]
DASH 1126 THROUGH 23.ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
SINGLETERRY. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 20 3-1150 THROUGH 23.
[ITEMS ADDED FROM THE JUNE 13, 2023 WORK SESSION TO BE ADOPTED TONIGHT ]
DASH 1163.DON'T MOVE. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
SINGLETERRY. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
[PUBLIC]
THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING? FIVE MINUTES. NO YIELDING OF TIME.MR.. I GAVE YOU MY NAME ALREADY.
DO YOU NEED IT AGAIN? NO, SIR.
ALL RIGHT. OKAY. I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS SEEMS LIKE INFLATION.
THIS IS REALLY INFLATION AGAINST THE PEOPLE BECAUSE THE PRICE PRICE OF THINGS SHOULD BE STABLE. IT'S BECAUSE YOU USE A DEBT MONEY SYSTEM WHERE THAT CAUSES THIS MASS OF INFLATION. IT'S LIKE THE PRICE OF A CAR OR ANYTHING.
YOU KNOW, I BOUGHT A PICKUP TRUCK IN 86, A LEFT OVER AT REEDMAN'S 11, FIVE, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THEY'RE LIKE, MY TRUCK RIGHT NOW IS 45 TO $49,000.
[00:30:01]
IT'S INFLATION.YOU KNOW, THE MONEY YOU SAVED 20 YEARS AGO, LIKE MY MOTHER WORKED ALL HER LIFE AND SHE SAVED A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY.
BUT WHEN SHE RETIRED, THE VALUE OF THE MONEY WAS GONE.
BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU NEED SO MUCH MONEY MORE.
I MEAN, I'M 78 YEARS OF AGE ALREADY.
I MEAN, I REMEMBER BUYING TRUCKS FOR LIKE $1,000 OR LESS THAN THAT.
AND AND, YOU KNOW, BY 86 THEY WERE 11 SOMETHING.
AND WELL, NOW THEY'RE 50,000 PLUS.
WE USED TO BUY TRUCKS AT REDMAN AND DRIVE THEM ACROSS THE RIVER AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY SALES TAX.
IT WENT BACK THEN. IT WAS LIKE MY MOTHER BOUGHT A 56 CHEVY WAS LIKE $1,600.
AND REDMAN, THEY DROVE US ACROSS THE RIVER TO TRENTON.
AND BY DOING THAT, THEY GIVE YOU THE KEYS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER.
WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY SALES TAX.
TODAY YOU BUY A CAR, IT'S LIKE, WELL, I BOUGHT A JEEP RECENTLY.
AND THEN THE SALES TAX, I DON'T KNOW, SIX, SIX AND A HALF, 7%.
YOU KNOW, LOOK AT THE PRICE OF THE JEEP.
YOU USED TO BUY A HOUSE FOR LESS MONEY THAN THAT.
I MEAN, THESE PRICES ARE INSANE.
AND I BLAME GOVERNMENT ALL THE WAY.
I MEAN, THERE'S NO REASON TO HAVE THIS MASSIVE INFLATION ON THE PEOPLE.
SO I'M FIGHTING IT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO FIGHT IT TOGETHER.
WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIGHT THIS INFLATION BECAUSE I HATE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THIS THING GOES.
AND. LIKE I SAY, I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AND IT'S A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS THAT WE'RE FACING HERE. AND I'M NOT GOING TO WIND UP IN THE POORHOUSE, I'LL TELL YOU THAT.
WHEN I WAS A KID, I WAS IN A POOR HOUSE, BUT I LEARNED I USED TO WORK FOR A DOLLAR A WEEK OR A BASEBALL WEEK.
BUT I KNOW HOW TO SAVE MONEY AND I KNOW HOW TO MAKE MONEY.
AND I'M GOING TO FIGHT THIS GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THIS GOVERNMENT IS TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL TODAY.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? NO OTHER COMMENTS.
ALL RIGHT. IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING? CLOSED. SECOND.
WE WILL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[Executive Session]
JUST CLOSING DOWN A COUPLE OF THINGS.THERE WAS ONE COMMENT ON FACEBOOK ABOUT THE SOUND QUALITY, SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO EXPLORE THAT. MIKE SO FOR WHO WAS EVER LISTENING, WE'LL WE'LL HAVE A TECH LOOK AT TO MAKE SURE THE SOUND QUALITY BLEEDS THROUGH.
ON THE VIDEO. THE CLOSED CAPTION WAS WORKING ON FACEBOOK, SO THERE WAS AN ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE WERE SAYING.
THAT BEING SAID, THERE IS A NEED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THE REASON BEHIND THAT IS TO HAVE A DISCUSSION REGARDING CONTRACTS AND PERSONNEL RELATED TO THE JAIL.
SO IF THERE COULD BE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, THERE WILL BE NO ACTION.
FORMAL ACTION TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, OR WE WILL ADJOURN DIRECTLY THEREFROM AND NO PUBLIC ACTION WILL BE TAKEN.
BE WELL.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.