[00:00:01] IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. [Board of County Commissioners Agenda/Work Meeting on March 24, 2026.] ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED AS REQUIRED BY LAW. ADDITIONALLY, THIS MEETING IS BEING DIGITALLY RECORDED AND LIVE STREAMED ON THE SOMERSET COUNTY WEBSITE. FOR PUBLIC ACCESS PLEASE EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO COUNTY BOARD MEETING AT SOMERSETCOUNTYNJ.GOV. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. THANK YOU. PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR REFLECTION. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL MAY WE CONTINUE TO BE LEADERS FOR ALL PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES. AS WE CONTINUE TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE THAT JUST EXPERIENCED A TRAGEDY AND LOSS IN THE FIRE IN THE NORTHERN SECTION OF THE COUNTY, MAY WE CONTINUE TO THRIVE AND BE ALL THAT WE CAN BE AND TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES SERVING OUR COUNTRY. THANK YOU. WELCOME, EVERYONE, TO THE MARCH 24TH WORK SESSION OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. THIS AGENDA AND ITEMS ON IT ARE FOR DISCUSSION AND WILL BE CONSIDERED AT OUR NEXT MEETING, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 14TH. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING UNLESS THE MEASURE AND ITS ADOPTION ARE NEEDED IN A MANNER NECESSARY TO CONTINUE COUNTY BUSINESS. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER. HERE WE WILL GO INTO OUR REPORTS. AGAIN. AS YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A HUGE FIRE RECENTLY. AND SO WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE TOWNSHIP THROUGH OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS SOCIAL SERVICES, AND MAKE SURE THAT THE RESIDENTS GET WHAT THEY NEED. I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT LAST SATURDAY'S SOMERSET COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN'S BRUNCH WAS A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS. IT WAS SOLD OUT AND IT SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THE ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE FOR THIS WORK. AND WOMEN ACROSS SOMERSET COUNTY CAME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE, CONNECT AND RECOMMIT TO THE ONGOING EFFORT OF ADVANCING EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL WOMEN IN SOMERSET COUNTY. I WANT TO COMMEND THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN MEMBERS FOR A HERCULEAN JOB THAT THEY DID IN PUTTING THIS TOGETHER. WE HAVE NOT HAD A BRUNCH SINCE BEFORE COVID. SO YOU KNOW, KUDOS TO THEM. I APPLAUD ALL THEIR EFFORTS. THIS OUTSTANDING WORK IN ORGANIZING AN EVENT CLEARLY RESONATED WITH ALL THOSE WHO WERE IN ATTENDANCE. AND WE DID HAVE A FEW GOOD MEN. [LAUGHTER] OUR INTERFAITH I'VE ATTENDED SEVERAL INTERFAITH IFTAR DINNERS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND SOMERSET COUNTY IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE COMMUNITIES, NOT ONLY IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, BUT ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. AND NEW JERSEY IS ALSO A VERY DIVERSE STATE IN THE NATION. WE ARE HOME TO MANY WHO TRACE THEIR ROOTS FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD. AND WITH THAT, WE ARE ABLE TO CELEBRATE ALL THOSE WHO PRACTICE DIFFERENT FAITH TRADITIONS, PRAY IN MANY DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND TOWARDS MANY HORIZONS. THIS IS NOT A CHALLENGE TO MANAGE AS WE CONTINUE TO BE LEADERS FOR ALL PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES, BUT IT IS A BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE OTHERS. WE HAD OUR NJAC NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES CENTRAL JERSEY MEETING WHERE WE TALKED ABOUT SHARED EXPERIENCES, BEST PRACTICES, SHARED SERVICES, AND BUDGET CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE ALL FACING THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND ACROSS THIS NATION. AND, YOU KNOW, WE SHARED WITH SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES ARE AND HOW OTHERS ARE DOING AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO MEET THOSE CHALLENGES HEAD ON. AND THEN FINALLY GRUBHUB AND WONDER HAD A DEMO DRONE DEMO DEMONSTRATION ON LAST WEEK WHERE THEY ARE PILOTING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE NORTHEAST AND THEY CHOSE GREEN BROOK NEW JERSEY SOMERSET COUNTY TO DO SO. AND SO THEY DID A DEMONSTRATION OF THE DRONE GOING UP. THE PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE AND SOME OF THE RESTAURANTS THAT THEY'RE USED TO FREQUENTING OR SUPPORTING. AND I WON'T NAME ANY NAMES, BUT YOU GOT TO CHECK THEM OUT. THEY'RE ON ROUTE 22 ACROSS FROM THE WALGREENS WHERE THE OLD 7-ELEVEN USED TO BE. THE FOOD IS PHENOMENAL. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ONLY HAVE A TWO-MILE RADIUS IN WHICH THEY CAN DELIVER, SO THEY CAN'T DELIVER TO THE COUNTY BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE, NEXT TUESDAY I'M GOING TO ORDER LUNCH. [00:05:02] BUT IF YOU SEE A DRONE SIGHTING, IT JUST MAY BE GRUBHUB DELIVERING FOOD [LAUGHTER] TO RESIDENTS WITHIN A TWO-MILE RADIUS OF GREEN BROOK IN THAT LOCATION. BUT AGAIN, IT'S IT JUST SPEAKS VOLUMES TO WHO WE ARE AND SUPPORTING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND THAT NEW JERSEY SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, PLAY AND VISIT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. THIS PAST SATURDAY, I ATTENDED AN EVENT WHERE 52 PARTICIPANTS SHAVED THEIR HEADS AND RAISED OVER $40,000 FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEARCH [APPLAUSE]. I WANT TO SAY TEAMS FROM LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE AREA AS WELL AS WHICH WAS INCREDIBLE. A GROUP FROM OUR SOMERSET COUNTY DISPATCHERS WHO FORMED THEIR OWN TEAM WERE THERE TO SUPPORT THIS CAUSE. OUR HOST, THE NORTH PLAINFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT, HAS RUN THIS EVENT FOR OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, AND ALL TOTAL, THEY'VE RAISED OVER $1.4 MILLION. NATIONALLY SAINT BALDRICK'S FOUNDATION HAS RAISED OVER $370 MILLION FOR CANCER RESEARCH FOR CHILDREN, AND THIS ORGANIZATION STARTED AMONG A SMALL GROUP OF FRIENDS WHO DARED EACH OTHER TO SHAVE THEIR HEADS. AND AS PART OF THE DARE, THEY AGREED THAT ANY MONEY THEY WOULD RECEIVE WOULD GO TOWARDS DONATIONS AT A CHARITABLE CAUSE. AND SO THE, THE FOUNDATION OF SAINT BALDRICK'S WAS CREATED AND HAS BEEN CELEBRATING NOW FOR 23 OR 24 YEARS. AGAIN, RAISING ALL KINDS OF MONEY, $370 MILLION FOR CANCER RESEARCH. SO YOU KNOW THAT WAS THIS IS MY 5TH YEAR DOING THAT, BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY AN INCREDIBLE THING FOR FOLKS AND IT'S A REALLY GREAT COLLEGIAL ATMOSPHERE AS WELL. AT OUR 6:00 MEETING, WE'RE GOING TO READ A PROCLAMATION. THIS IS IN SUPPORT OF AGRICULTURAL NATIONAL AG DAY. AS I MENTIONED LAST WEEK, OUR LAST MEETING, SPRING IS HERE. AND BASICALLY ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO BE CONSIDERATE OF ALL THE FARM EQUIPMENT THAT'S OUT AND ABOUT ON OUR ROADS. AS YOU SEE, WHEN YOU DRIVE A COMBINE OR A TRACTOR, YOU HAVE TO SOMETIMES USE A LOCAL ROAD OR COUNTY ROAD. THEY'RE BIG. THEY'RE VERY LARGE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. SOMETIMES FOLKS GET A LITTLE IMPATIENT DRIVING BEHIND THEM AND WANT TO PASS AROUND OR WHATEVER. DON'T DO THAT. JUST BE PATIENT AND THEY'LL GET OFF THE ROAD AS SOON AS THEY ACCESS THEIR NEXT FIELD. AND CERTAINLY OUR PARK COMMISSION, I CAN REPORT THAT SEVERAL CAPITAL PROJECTS ARE READY TO START ONCE THE BIDDING PROCESS IS COMPLETE ON SEVERAL, INCLUDING A NEW IRRIGATION AT THE GREEN OAK GOLF COURSE. A NEW MULTI-PURPOSE FIELD AT MOUNTAIN VIEW PARK. AND JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, A NEW PLAYGROUND AT COLONIAL PARK. I REMEMBER AS A KID PLAYING AT COLONIAL PARK AND PLAYGROUND. IT WAS CERTAINLY NOTHING LIKE IT IS TODAY. AND MY CHILDREN WERE BROUGHT TO COLONIAL PARK PLAYGROUND. THAT'S THERE YOU'RE GOING TO SEE AN INCREDIBLE NEW PLAYGROUND PARK AT COLONIAL PARK. SO EXCITED FOR THAT. AND THEN ALSO FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE LOOKING TO GET OUT GOLFING, WHICH IS ONCE THE DAY IS BEAUTIFUL NOW. SPOOKY BROOK, QUAIL BROOK AND NESHANIC GOLF COURSES ARE OPEN. THEY'VE BEEN OPEN. THERE IS A RESERVATION SYSTEM IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN SECURING TEE TIMES. AND THE SORT OF THE MAGIC OF SECURING THE TEE TIME THAT YOU WANT IS THAT THEY GO ON A SEVEN DAY AND THREE-HOUR ROTATION. SO EVERY SEVEN DAYS AND THREE HOURS IT RESETS. AND THEN YOU CAN THEN GET YOUR REGISTRATION FOR TEE TIMES. AND YOU CAN BET PEOPLE ARE WAITING AT THAT MOMENT TO SECURE THEIR BEST TEE TIMES TO PLAY. BUT OUR COURSES ACROSS THE REALLY ACROSS THE COUNTY AND ACROSS THE STATE ARE SOME OF THE BEST GOLF COURSES AROUND. SO FEEL FREE TO DO THAT. AND I JUST WANT TO PUT A PLUG IN FOR THE STATE PARK COMMISSION IN GENERAL. THEY MAINTAIN SOME OF THE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE HABITATS INCLUDING YOU KNOW, NATURAL AREAS RIGHT NOW THEY'RE INVOLVED IN PROPAGATING RARE PLANTS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO REPLANT IN OUR PARKS. AND THEY ALSO ARE OUR NATURALIST LEAD TRAINING SESSIONS FOR FOLKS WHO ARE LOOKING TO RESCUE AMPHIBIANS AND NEWTS AND SALAMANDERS WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THEIR BREEDING POOLS ONCE THE, ONCE THE WEATHER CLEARS AND THEY GO OUT ONTO, YOU KNOW, A RAINY DAY AND THEY RUN ACROSS THE ROAD AND PEOPLE ARE THERE TRAINED TO TRY TO HELP THEM GET ACROSS THE STREET BECAUSE THEY GET RUN OVER. SO THAT'S BEEN A BIG THING, BUT I WANT TO REALLY COMMEND OUR NATURALISTS AND OUR PARKS FOR LEADING THAT TRAINING AND BRINGING VOLUNTEERS OUT TO RESCUE THOSE AMPHIBIANS FROM GETTING RUN OVER. AND THAT'S INTO MY REPORT. THANK YOU [00:10:05] JERSEY MEETING, WHICH WAS HOSTED BY UNION COUNTY ALONGSIDE OF DIRECTOR ROBINSON AND COMMISSIONER MARANO. WE, YOU KNOW, AS DIRECTOR ROBINSON NOTED IT'S VERY HEALTHY FOR US TO DISCUSS FROM THE OTHER COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. THERE'S 21 OF US. SO WE TRY NOT TO REINVENT THE WHEEL AND WE FACE SIMILAR ISSUES. SO TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS IT IN A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT AND TO SAY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THESE COSTS OR FIX SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS? AND SOME OF THE STATE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES WHICH ARE IMPACTING THE COUNTIES IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. SO IT'S GOOD FOR ALL OF US TO BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER AND ADDRESS THINGS HEAD ON. WORKING WITH JOHN DONNADIO, WHO'S AT THE HELM OF THAT ORGANIZATION. I WAS A PANELIST AND ATTENDED THE HEALTHIER SOMERSET COALITION MEETING OVER AT ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON. RIGHT DOWN THE STREET HERE. AND WE SPOKE REGARDING ABOUT THE HEALTH OF SOMERSET COUNTY. THEY CALLED IT THE CHECKUP [LAUGHTER], BUT THAT WAS NOT JUST FOR THE ACTUAL, YOU KNOW, HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY. IT ENCOMPASSES MUCH MORE THAN THAT. SO WE REALLY SPOKE ABOUT HOW THE FEDERAL CUTS ARE IMPACTING THE NONPROFIT COMMUNITIES. PEOPLE THAT ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR BUDGETS AND, YOU KNOW, THE FOUNDATIONS, IT'S GETTING HARDER AND HARDER FOR THEM TO RAISE FUNDS. AND THE QUESTIONS ARE GETTING GREATER BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T, WHO DONATE ARE GETTING MANY CALLS FROM ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS. SO THE ANSWERS AND THE DATA POINTS THAT THEY SHARE FOR WHERE THEIR DOLLARS ARE BEING INVESTED TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE IN DEPTH THAN THEY USED TO BE. SO AS WE START TO SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A CONSTRAINING ENVIRONMENT FROM FEDERAL FUNDS AND HOW THAT IMPACTS US RIGHT HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY. WE ALSO SPOKE ABOUT PEOPLE'S PERSONAL BUDGETS AND HOW THAT IMPACTS MENTAL HEALTH. OUR FOOD BANKS ARE IN GREATER NEED, AND WE IN SOMERSET COUNTY ARE ABLE TO COLLECT A LOT OF THIS DATA. SO ALL THE NONPROFITS ARE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO MAKE STRATEGIC DECISIONS AND PIVOT AND WORK COLLABORATIVELY. AND MANY OF THOSE THINGS, THEY'RE ABLE TO SEE EXACTLY, YOU KNOW, WHERE TO INVEST AND HOW TO PIVOT AS THE DEMAND IS GROWING. UNFORTUNATELY WITH SOME OF THESE MORE, YOU KNOW, FISCALLY, YOU KNOW, CONCERNING TIMES FOR EVERYBODY'S BUDGETS YOU KNOW, YOU PROBABLY HEARD IN THE NEWS WITH, YOU KNOW, TRADE WARS IMPACTING THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING, WHETHER IT'S THE GROCERY STORE OR, YOU KNOW, ANYTHING YOU'RE BUYING, WE FACE THE SAME PROBLEMS TOO. SO JUST BEING NIMBLE ON THAT SIDE, BUT WE ARE IN GOOD HANDS. I SPOKE ALONGSIDE OF CHRIS EDWARDS, THE CEO OF THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP VICE PRESIDENT. VICE PRESIDENT OF ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION AND ANOTHER LEADER, A NONPROFIT IN THE NONPROFIT SPACE. AND, YOU KNOW, WE ARE WORKING COLLECTIVELY TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THESE HEAD ON. WE REALIZE THAT LIKE ANY CYCLE, YOU KNOW, IT REPEATS ITSELF. AND WE KNEW THAT THIS WAS COMING. SO BEING ABLE TO MAKE DIFFERENT DECISIONS ABOUT A FEW YEARS AGO WITH LIKE THE HUB OVER IN THE SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP AS A DIFFERENT RESOURCE TOOL. WE HAVE BEEN PLANNING AND PREPARING FOR, FOR, YOU KNOW, THESE TOUGHER DAYS AND WE ARE IN GOOD HEALTH IN SOMERSET COUNTY. IT BRINGS ME TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING THAT WE HAD. WE'LL BE HEARING MORE DETAILS ABOUT THAT LATER FOR TODAY'S MEETING. WE HAVE THE 250TH KICKOFF YESTERDAY. COMMISSIONER GRANER AND I BOTH ATTENDED THAT. WE HAD PLENTY OF REENACTORS TO TAKE US RIGHT BACK INTO THAT SETTING. AND WE HAVE SO MUCH HISTORY RIGHT HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY. FOR ALL THE HISTORIANS THAT WERE PRESENT, IT WAS A GREAT ABILITY FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO RATTLE OFF ALL THE FUN FACTS THAT WE HAVE IN THIS REGION AND ALL COMING TOGETHER. IT WAS HOSTED OVER AT THE GREENHOUSE AT THE OLD MILL, AND THEY ARE SEATED IN SOMERSET MAP. SO FULL CIRCLE AND BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR BUSINESSES RIGHT HERE. AND TODAY I ATTENDED A WALK IN THE PARK OVER AT THE PATRIOTS BALLPARK HOSTED BY LAURA DE PRADO. AND IF YOU HAVE NOT MET HER, YOU SHOULD. BUT SHE IS REALLY THE FOUNDER OF THE HORTICULTURAL THERAPY IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND PUT IT ON THE MAP TO BE RECOGNIZED IN THE STATE. WORKING WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO. BUT IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE DAY AT THE BALLPARK. AND SHE HAD ALL THE LOCAL BUSINESSES BASICALLY COME TOGETHER, BRINGING IN SMALL TREES AT THE BALLPARK ON THE PAVILION THERE. SO IT WAS TRULY A WALK IN THE PARK. AND, YOU KNOW, YOU LEARN SO MUCH ABOUT ALL THE SPECIES THAT WE HAVE IN THIS REGION AND THE PEOPLE THAT DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO OUR AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY AND HORTICULTURAL THERAPY TO WITH ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES AND HOW THAT HELPS THEM ON THE THERAPEUTICAL SIDE. THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SOOY. LAST SATURDAY, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF REPORTING AN UPDATE ON SOMERSET COUNTY'S FIVE [00:15:04] POINT HISTORIC PLAN AT THE 4TH ANNUAL MIDDLEBROOK SYMPOSIUM, WHICH KATELYN, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS A SELLOUT, BUT IF IT WASN'T, IT WAS PRETTY DARN CLOSE TO IT BECAUSE THAT PLACE WAS PACKED. I MEAN, THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THERE. SO MANY THANKS TO BOB AND LINDA BARTH WHO PUT THAT TOGETHER. IT WAS REALLY, REALLY IMPACTFUL. MANY HISTORIANS SPEAKING AND IT WAS JUST A GREAT DAY. SO REALLY GOOD EVENT. SORRY I MISSED THE WOMEN'S BREAKFAST, BUT I WAS WITH THE HISTORY FOLKS THAT DAY. AND THEN ON THAT SUNDAY WAS THE ANNUAL SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARADE. AND I THINK MOST OF OUR TEAM HERE WAS THERE WALKING IN THE PARADE AND CELEBRATING. SO THANKS TO THE BOROUGH OF SOMERVILLE FOR PUTTING ON A GOOD PARTY. EVERYBODY HAD A GREAT TIME THERE. UPCOMING EVENTS IS OPENING DAY AT THE BALLPARK APRIL 3RD. FRIDAY NIGHT IS OPENING DAY FOR THE PATRIOTS. THEY'RE GOING TO BE THROWING OUT THE FIRST PITCH THERE. SO ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO CATCH A BALL GAME SOMETIME THIS YEAR. WE HAVE A LITTLE TREASURE HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY, SO DON'T MISS OUT ON AN AFFORDABLE, FUN NIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. WE'VE ALSO GOT THE BATTLE OF BOUND BROOK WEEKEND COMING UP. THAT'S APRIL 10TH THROUGH 12TH. THERE'S SOMETHING GOING ON FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY, SO PLEASE CHECK IT OUT. THAT'S IN BOUND BROOK AND SOUTH BOUND BROOK. THEY'RE ALL HAVING FESTIVITIES. SO IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN THIS IS THE YEAR TO DO IT. IT'S REALLY A LOT OF FUN IN OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION. OUR SHREDDING EVENT WAS THIS PAST SATURDAY. WE HAD OVER 1100 CARS FOR THERE, SO I THINK EVERYBODY'S GETTING THEIR TAXES READY. CLEANING OUT THEIR FILE CABINETS. AND ALSO APOLOGIES ARE RECYCLING CALENDARS AND OUR STICKERS WERE LATE THIS YEAR. WE HAD SOME PROCESSING PROBLEMS BUT THEY HAVE HIT THE HOUSES. I'VE GOT MINE. I UPDATED MY CALENDAR TODAY, SO IF YOU HAVEN'T RECEIVED IT YET, YOU SHOULD BE GETTING THOSE STICKERS IN THE MAIL ANY DAY. OUR LGBT ADVISORY BOARD MET. WE ARE PLANNING A MAY 14TH PRIDE NIGHT CELEBRATION OVER HERE ON THE CAMPUS OF SOMERSET COUNTY. SO TAG THAT DOWN FOR 6:00 P.M. WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU VISIT WITH US. IT SHOULD BE LIKE A SHORT PROGRAM, MAYBE AN HOUR, BUT IT'S OUR FIRST TIME DOING IT. SO I'M NOT GOING TO REVEAL TOO MUCH BECAUSE TRUTH BE TOLD, WE HAVEN'T FIGURED IT OUT YET, [LAUGHTER] BUT WE'VE GOT THE DATE AND THE TIME AND WE'LL BE THERE AND IT WILL BE FUN, I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THERE. AND LASTLY, OPEN SPACE. WE HAVE AN ACQUISITION TONIGHT, SO THAT ALWAYS BRINGS A BIG SMILE TO MY FACE TO BUY MORE LAND FOR PRESERVATION EFFORTS. SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THAT ON OUR AGENDA AND ULTIMATELY VOTING ON THAT. AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MARANO. GREATER RARITAN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT REPORTS THAT TOMORROW THERE'S GOING TO BE A CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT RECRUITMENT EVENT IN SOMERVILLE. AND ON APRIL 2ND, A VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION FOR HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH CARRIER CLINIC. THE NEXT QUARTERLY RECRUITMENT EVENT IS PLANNED FOR APRIL 30TH IN FLEMINGTON. THE EVENT IS OPEN TO EVERYONE, BUT THE FOCUS IS ON JOB SEEKERS OVER THE AGE OF 55 AND THE FUTURE FORWARD AT EVERY AGE WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY ON APRIL 22ND. THE CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT, WHICH FOCUSES ON PATHWAYS FOR STUDENTS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES, IS HOLDING A RECRUITMENT EVENT TOMORROW AT THE GREATER RARITAN ONE STOP CAREER CENTER HERE IN SOMERVILLE. THE SOMERSET COUNTY VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOLS HOSTING ITS ANNUAL CAREER FAIR ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 20TH. BELLAGIO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND HUDSON HILL GROUP HOSTED AN OPEN HOUSE TO SHOW A NEWLY RENOVATED PROPERTY HERE IN SOMERVILLE, PARTIALLY FUNDED WITH A GRANT FROM THE HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM AT 25 WEST HIGH STREET TO MEMBERS OF THE HOME COMMITTEE AND SOME OF OUR SYSTEM PARTNERS. I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER DRAKE WAS THERE AS WAS. YES. AND AS WAS THERESA BONNER FROM SOMERVILLE. AND I'VE LOST MY PLACE. OH. SO YOU TORE IT ON MARCH 19TH. THERE YOU GO. FOUR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED WOMEN WILL TAKE OCCUPANCY OF THE HOME WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. VERY, VERY IMPORTANT WORK. A VERY GREAT PROJECT FOR VERY PROUD OF THAT. THE STIGMA FREE SUMMIT WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 4TH AT RVCC. IN 4-H NEWS MELISSA BRIGHT HAS RECEIVED FOUR AWARDS FROM THE NJ CHAPTER OF EPSILON SIGMA PHI, WHICH IS A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO FOSTERING EXCELLENCE AMONG COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROFESSIONALS. THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WILL NOW BE JUDGED AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. MELISSA WAS RECOGNIZED WITH THE EARLY CAREER SERVICE AWARD. THE VISIONARY LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT INDIVIDUAL AND DISTINGUISHED TEAM AWARD. IT'S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE. THERE'S STILL OPENINGS FOR THE AG VENTURE DAYS NEXT WEEK IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN HAVING YOUR CHILD AND GRADES ENDING GRADES 1 THROUGH 5, GOING TO THIS CAMP THAT COORDINATES PERFECTLY WITH THE SPRING BREAKS AROUND HERE. REGISTER BY THURSDAY. AND RVCC. GREAT REPORT. ENROLLMENT IS UP BY 8%. [00:20:04] THAT'S GREAT THANK YOU WE HAVE SOME TECHNICAL CHALLENGES WITH VIDEO AND AUDIO. SO IF YOU LEAVE HERE, WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING ON IT, BUT WE'RE NOT STREAMING RIGHT NOW. AND THEN THE POINT OF PRIVILEGE, WE'RE GOING TO SHAKE UP THE OUTSTANDING WOMEN AWARDS. AND WE'RE GOING TO START WITH MENTORSHIP AWARD WITH TARA MACHOS [APPLAUSE]. YES. FRONT AND CENTER. SO AT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY. ACTUALLY, INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY BREAKFAST WE CELEBRATED THREE INCREDIBLE WOMEN HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY, AND TARA RECEIVED THE OUTSTANDING WOMEN OR HONORS FOR MENTORSHIP. AND THE CERTIFICATE SAYS THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HEREBY RECOGNIZES TARA MACHOS, WHO HAS. WHO WAS AWARDED SOMERSET COUNTY'S 2026 OUTSTANDING WOMEN'S MENTORSHIP AMONG THE EMPLOYEES OF SOMERSET COUNTY AND IT IS SIGNED BY YOUR FIVE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. AND WE ALSO HAVE. A BEAUTIFUL AWARD THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOGNIZES TARA MACHOS AS AN OUTSTANDING WOMAN FOR HER MENTORSHIP AMONG THE EMPLOYEES OF SOMERSET COUNTY. SO CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU. THANK YOU NEXT UP WE HAVE NICCI SPINAZZOLA. [APPLAUSE] I HAVE MORE FAMILY AND MY STAFF THAN. [LAUGHTER]. THAT'S OKAY. NICCI WAS HONORED FOR OUTSTANDING WOMEN HONORS OF LEADERSHIP AMONG THE EMPLOYEES OF SOMERSET COUNTY. SO WE RECOGNIZE YOUR LEADERSHIP AMONG THE EMPLOYEES OF SOMERSET COUNTY. HERE'S YOUR CERTIFICATE AND YOUR AWARD. AND AGAIN, IT READS THE SAME. BUT THIS IS FOR NICCI SPINAZZOLA AS AN OUTSTANDING WOMAN. SOMERSET COUNTY EMPLOYEES. [APPLAUSE] I'LL SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY A FEW THINGS. BECAUSE THIS IS ABOUT LEADERSHIP. I WANT TO JUST LET MOST OF YOU KNOW HERE THAT LEADERSHIP IS NEVER REALLY ABOUT ONE PERSON. SO IF MY STAFF WOULD STAND UP, PLEASE. [APPLAUSE]. AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU'RE SURROUNDED BY SUCH BRIGHT LIGHTS, IT'S EASY TO GET, YOU KNOW, A LIGHT SHONE UPON YOU. SO THESE ARE THE FOLKS THAT REALLY HELPED THE CENTER ALONG. AND THEY ARE MY ADVISORS. THEY ARE MY FRIENDS. AND THEY HAVE MADE DREAMS COME TRUE. SO KEEP DREAMING GUYS, YOU KNOW, AND MY, MY MOTHER AND FATHER USED TO SAY, YOU KNOW, CHASE YOUR DREAMS. AND IF ONE ISN'T THERE AND ONE DOESN'T COME TRUE, THERE'S ALWAYS ONE WAITING. SO WE JUST KEEP DREAMING AND WE KEEP GROWING THE CENTER. AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE THAT. [APPLAUSE]. AND JUST A QUICK, QUICK TWO SECONDS. YOU GUYS COULD SIT DOWN BECAUSE NOW I WANT MY FAMILY JUST TO STAND UP, IF YOU DON'T MIND, JUST THEY SURPRISED ME. I DID NOT KNOW THEY WERE COMING. [APPLAUSE]. I DID NOT KNOW. SO WE'RE I'M LITERALLY DOWN ONE DAUGHTER. I'M DOWN TWO SON-IN-LAWS AND ONE GRANDDAUGHTER, BUT EVERYBODY ELSE IS HERE AND THEY SURPRISE ME. AND THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU GUYS. [APPLAUSE]. OH, YEAH DO YOU WANT TO GET ONE JUST WITH NICCI AND THEN ONE JUST WITH THE EMPLOYEES. YES, [LAUGHTER] ABSOLUTELY. AND THEN WE COULD DO A WHOLE GROUP SHOT. YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I'M THINKING. OKAY, NOW WE GOT THE EMPLOYEES. EMPLOYEES COME ON UP. [00:25:01] YOU'RE SUCH A MOM [LAUGHTER]. I AM, I AM, I'M A MOTHER. AND THEN ONE MORE THAT'S RIGHT. [LAUGHTER] I TELL EVERYBODY WHAT TO DO. YOU STAND THERE. YOU STAND THERE YOU SMILE. WE COULD HAVE USED YOU. I ALSO, BY THE WAY, FORGOT [LAUGHTER] COULD YOU DO THAT AS A LEADER. THESE GUYS HAVE BEEN AMAZING IN TERMS OF JUST THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE CENTER AND ALL OF THE DREAMS THAT WE HAVE DREAMED DOING FAMILY. [LAUGHTER] AND THE GUY ON THE STREET. AND DAVID. AS LONG AS YOU GIVE HIM A SHIRT OR SOMETHING [LAUGHTER]. THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE OH, WOW I FIGURED CAROLINE MIGHT WANT TO SHARE THAT WITH NICCI. [LAUGHTER]. AND THEN WE HAVE ANGELICA SANDI. [APPLAUSE]. ANGELICA WAS RECOGNIZED AS AN OUTSTANDING WOMAN HONORS FOR BEING A RISING STAR AMONG THE EMPLOYEES OF SOMERSET COUNTY. SO CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] AND HER AWARD SAYS ANGELICA SANDI. AS AN OUTSTANDING WOMAN FOR BEING A RISING STAR AMONG THE EMPLOYEES OF SOMERSET COUNTY. THANK YOU I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE AMAZING, OUTSTANDING WOMEN THAT WERE NOMINATED WITH ME. TRULY LOOK UP TO YOU BOTH. I APPRECIATE THE LEADERSHIP WITHIN MY OFFICE. LISA AND KATE AND BRITTANY ARE SITTING BACK THERE. THANK YOU. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TO ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING LITTLE WOMEN THAT I KNOW. MY LITTLE SISTER, ELIANA, SITTING RIGHT THERE. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU ALL RIGHT, JUNIOR, YOU'RE COMING UP NEXT HOLD ON, LITTLE LEADER. CONTINUE TO MENTOR AND CONTINUE TO RISE. SO AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS. WE HAVE SEVERAL COMMUNICATIONS, ONE FOR MORRIS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION THEY PROVIDED ON MARCH 11TH URGING SUPPORT OF SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REGARDING NJ PACT/REAL RULES. WE ALSO RECEIVED THE MONMOUTH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF. AGAIN, THE SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REGARDING NJ PACT/REAL RULES. MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP REQUESTING SUPPORT FOR THE TOWNSHIP'S REV250 PARADE AND FIREWORKS EVENT SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 25TH, 2026. AND MONMOUTH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION FEBRUARY 26TH, 2026 OPPOSING NEW JERSEY SENATE BILL S-2338, KNOWN AS THE CLIMATE SUPERFUND ACT. NOW WE MOVE ON TO OUR 2026 SOMERSET COUNTY BUDGET INTRODUCTION ITEMS. [00:30:12] AND. OKAY, BUT BEFORE I DO, I WOULD LIKE TO JUST GO THROUGH WHERE WE ARE. WHAT INCREASE WE'RE AT. WHAT RATABLES LOOK LIKE AND JUST GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION ON WHERE WE LANDED FOR THIS INTRODUCED BUDGET. OKAY. SO WE STARTED OUT BACK EARLY IN FEBRUARY BEFORE WE HAD ALL OF OUR NUMBERS MOSTLY FROM OUR OUTSIDE AGENCIES AT A 5.95% INCREASE. AND THAT WAS WITH, WITH A PROJECTION OF 2% FOR OUR OUTSIDE AGENCIES. SO SHORTLY THEREAFTER, WE DID FINALLY RECEIVE THE BUDGET FOR THE BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND THAT BUDGET CAME IN AT AN INCREASE OF $935,000. SO A PORTION OF THAT WAS FOR THE SNAP ADMINISTRATION THAT THE COUNTY IS GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AT THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, DUE TO THE STATE CHANGING THE ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE. AND THE OTHER PORTION WAS FOR THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE INCREASE OVER AT THE BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES. SO $304,000 WAS SNAP AND $631,000 WAS HEALTH INSURANCE. IN ADDITION SO WE PLUGGED THOSE NUMBERS. SO I'M JUST GOING TO KIND OF WALK YOU THROUGH HOW WE ARRIVED AT WHERE WE ARE TODAY. SO WE PLUGGED THOSE NUMBERS. AND THEN WE ALSO HAD INCREASES IN FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR ELECTRICITY TO THE TUNE OF $528,000, AND THEN ALSO RENT ESCALATORS THAT WE TYPICALLY ANTICIPATE ANNUALLY FOR. AND THAT WAS $113,000. WE LOST THE CHIF GRANT, WHICH IS THE COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPACT FUND GRANT UNDER HEALTH, AND IT WAS A 50% LOSS TO THE AMOUNT OF $140,000. SO WE WE BUDGETED THAT ON THE HEALTH SIDE TO HELP THEM CONTINUE OPERATIONS. OUR HEALTH INSURANCE, WHICH IS THE LARGEST INCREASE. THE TOTAL INCREASE WAS $9,564,000 AND WITHIN EMPLOYEE OFFSET OF 1.3 BECAUSE WE DO GET EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS WE INCREASE THE EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION SIDE AS WELL. THAT'S GOING TO OFFSET IT BY $1.3 MILLION. SO THE NET TOTAL INCREASE IS $8.2 MILLION. ON THE HEALTH. IN HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THIS YEAR. OUR SURPLUS UTILIZATION. LAST YEAR WE UTILIZED $24 MILLION. DIDN'T WE. WE DIDN'T EARN AS MUCH INTEREST AS WE HAD ANTICIPATED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. ABOUT $5 MILLION IN LOSSES IN GRANTS. AND THAT WAS DUE TO STATE AND FEDERAL FLUCTUATIONS IN GRANTS. PULLING GRANTS SAYING YOU CAN USE A GRANT PULLING A GRANT BACK. AND SO WE YEAR OVER YEAR FROM 24 TO 25. WE HAD A REDUCTION IN GRANT REVENUE OF $5 MILLION. AND THE THIRD THING THAT IMPACTED OUR SURPLUS REPLENISH WAS OUR LAPSED APPROPRIATION RESERVES WERE THEY WERE DOWN TO ABOUT $10 MILLION AND WERE TYPICALLY AROUND $15 MILLION TO $12 MILLION IN LAPSED APPROPRIATION RESERVES. SO WE WERE SHORT IN THAT REGARD AS WELL. SO THE STRATEGY TO TRY TO MITIGATE THE LOSS OF REPLENISHING THE SURPLUS IS THAT WE'RE ONLY GOING TO USE $23 MILLION THIS YEAR. SO WE ARE CURRENTLY AT A 5.5% INCREASE. AND TO GET THERE, WE TOOK A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ALL THE DIVISION'S OPERATING BUDGETS, AND WE COMPARED THEIR 25 EXPENDITURES TO WHAT THEY ARE REQUESTING IN 26. AND IF WE SAW THAT THEY HAD SOME WIGGLE ROOM, THEN WE WERE WE MADE SOME CUTS IN THAT REGARD AS FAR AS IF THEY DIDN'T EXPAND THEIR FULL 2025 BUDGET, IF THEY LEFT FUNDING ON THE TABLE, WE KIND OF, WE MADE CUTS ACROSS THE, ACROSS THE BOARD FOR MOST OF THE DIVISIONS. SOME OF THE MAJOR REDUCTIONS. WE DID TAKE A LOOK AT THE JAIL AS FAR AS WHERE THEY ARE. [00:35:08] WE. LAST YEAR, WE DIDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE, LIKE MAKING SUCH DRAMATIC CUTS BECAUSE WE WEREN'T REALLY SURE, LIKE WHAT THEIR EXPENDITURES WERE GOING TO BE LIKE. AND THEIR, THEIR STAFFING COUNTS AND MOSTLY WITH LIKE WHAT THEIR EXPENDITURES WERE GOING TO BE LIKE. SO WE, WE, THIS YEAR WE WENT BACK AND WITH THE REDUCTIONS IN THEIR STAFFING AND THE REDUCTIONS THAT WE FEEL COMFORTABLE MAKING AS FAR AS IN THEIR OPERATING BUDGET, BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE SENDING OUR INMATES TO MORRIS COUNTY. AND SO WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY EXPENSES OVER AT THE JAIL. WE FEEL COMFORTABLE MAKING SOME ADDITIONAL CUTS. SO WE ARE GOING TO REDUCE THEIR OPERATING EXPENSES BY $1 MILLION, AND WE REDUCED THEIR SALARIES BY 1.5. FOR THE PARK COMMISSION, BECAUSE WE HAD ORIGINALLY BUDGETED A 2% INCREASE FOR THEM, WE REDUCED THEM DOWN TO 1%. AND SAME WITH THE RVCC. WE HAD ORIGINALLY BUDGETED THEM FOR 2% INCREASE AND WE REDUCED RVCC DOWN TO 1% AS WELL. WE HAD THE RUTGERS CO-OP COME IN AND ASKED FOR SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING, BUT WE REDUCED THEM DOWN. WE REDUCED THEM BACK DOWN TO THEIR 25, 2025 OPERATIONS LEVELS. AND THEN THE BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES, WITH THE NEWS THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS GOING TO FUND THE SNAP FOR THIS YEAR, WE REDUCED THEIR BUDGET DOWN BY $304,000. AND THEN WE FURTHER REDUCED THEIR HEALTH REQUEST, THEIR HEALTH BUDGET OPERATING INCREASE REQUEST. WE REDUCED THAT DOWN TO $300,000. AND THEN THE LAST THING UNDER OPERATIONS IS IN OUR PURCHASE OF SERVICE. WE HAD ASKED FOR HUMAN SERVICES TO KEEP THEIR PURCHASE OF SERVICE FLAT TO 2025. AND THAT GAVE US ANOTHER 41, ALMOST $70,000 THAT WE WERE ABLE TO RECOVER IN THAT REGARD. SO WE FURTHER, THAT OBVIOUSLY WASN'T ENOUGH. SO WE FURTHER TOOK A LOOK AT THE VACANCIES THAT WE HAD ACROSS THE BOARD. FOR THE, FOR ALL OF THE DIVISIONS AND WE WERE ABLE TO REDUCE DIVISIONS VACANCIES BY A TOTAL OF $720,000. SO THE STRATEGY FOR DOING THAT WAS WE DIDN'T WE DIDN'T REMOVE ANY POSITIONS. SO IF A DIVISION DOES NEED TO HIRE, THEY STILL HAVE THE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO BE ABLE TO DO SO. IT'S JUST THAT AT THIS POINT, WE'RE IN MARCH. SO IF YOU HIRE SOMEONE IN APRIL AND PAY THEM FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR, YOU WILL NOT NEED A FULL YEAR'S SALARY TO FUND FOR THAT, FOR THAT VACANCY. SO WE JUST ACROSS THE BOARD, WE TOOK FUNDING FROM VEHICLE MAINTENANCE, YOUTH SERVICES, PUBLIC WORKS, HEALTH, RICHARD HALL, OFFICE ON AGING, TRANSPORTATION, ROADS AND FNS. AND THEN WE HAD TO INCREASE 911 COMMUNICATIONS. WE HAD TO FUND AN INCREASE FOR THEM FOR OVERTIME SUPPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $200,000 AND UPCOMING LABOR CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS. WE BUDGETED $100,000 FOR 911. WE ALSO TOOK MONEY. WE HAD FUNDING IN OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT, OUR CAPITAL SURPLUS SORRY. IN OUR CAPITAL SURPLUS WE TOOK FUNDING FROM $2 MILLION FROM THAT. AND WE'RE BRINGING THAT IN AS REVENUE TO ALSO OFFSET THE BUDGET. AND THEN AS FAR AS PERSONNEL CONTROLS, LIKE WE HAVE LIMITED SALARY ADJUSTMENTS WERE IMPLEMENTED. THE NEW POSITIONS ARE STILL CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW, AND MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN DEFERRED TO 2027. SO TO THE TAX RATABLE AND TAX RATES AND THE TAX RATABLE BASE. SO GOOD NEWS IS OUR TAX BASE HAS INCREASED. IT'S AT $91.8 BILLION FOR 2026. [00:40:08] AND THAT'S OVER 2025'S $85 BILLION. SO IT'S A $6.8 BILLION CHANGE OR AN 8% INCREASE. AND WITH THAT IT HELPS TO DRIVE THE TAX RATE DOWN. THE TAX RATE IS CURRENTLY AT 0.2763 OVER LAST YEAR, WHICH WAS 0.2822. SO IT'S 0.0059% CHANGE. BUT THE INCREASE IN RATABLES HAS ALSO HELPED THE TAX RATE DECREASE. 2.2. 2026 IS 2. 0.2763. AND 2025 IS 0.2822. THE AVERAGE HOME VALUE HAS INCREASED BY $47,611. AND SO IN 2026 IS $638,474. AND IN 2025 IT WAS $590,863. SO AN INTRODUCED BUDGET AT 5.5%. IT WILL INCREASE THE COUNTY TAX. IT'LL TO ONE $1,763.82. AND THAT'S OVER 2025 AT $1,667.52. SO THAT'S AN INCREASE OF $96.30. SO THAT'S THE INCREASE PER HOUSEHOLD IN 2026. WILL BE $96.30. OKAY. THE 2026 TAX RATE, 0.2763 AND 25 IS 0.2822. SO THE TAX RATE IS SO DESPITE THE BUDGET GROWTH THE TAX RATE IS DECREASING. AND OF COURSE THAT'S GIVEN THAT'S DRIVEN BY THE GROWTH IN RATABLES. IN OUR STRATEGIC BUDGET CONTROLS THAT WE'VE IMPLEMENTED. SO THAT IS PRETTY MUCH WHERE WE ARE. AND WE'RE JUST ASKING IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER INTRODUCING THE BUDGET THIS EVENING. SO JUST FOR FYI, OUR TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES HAVE BEEN RESOLVED AND WE ARE NOW STREAMING. BUT MY COMMENT IS, AND JUST VERIFICATION FOR THOSE IN THE ROOM AND TV LAND, WE ARE NOT CUTTING SERVICES. WE'RE NOT CUTTING SERVICES, WHICH IS A GOOD THING [LAUGHTER]. AND THIS IS JUST THE INTRODUCTION. SO WE ARE WORKING WITH THE REST OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ABLE TO BE AS LEAN AS POSSIBLE WITH STILL MAINTAINING SERVICES. AS WE'RE JUST SEEING INCREASES ACROSS THE BOARD. SO YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT'S THE DRIVEWAY YOU PAVE AT YOUR HOME OR THE ROADS THAT WE'RE PAVING AT THE COUNTY, WE DO WORK COLLECTIVELY FOR LOWER PRICING, BUT THE COST OF MATERIALS ARE UP RIGHT NOW. SO WE WERE. WE WILL BE WORKING BETWEEN NOW AND ADOPTION TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THIS EVEN LEANER THAN IT ALREADY IS. I WANT TO THANK THE GOVERNOR FOR RECOGNIZING THAT THE SNAP BENEFITS THAT WERE CUT THROUGH THE LEGISLATION IN WASHINGTON NEEDED TO BE FILLED AS A GAP, AND THAT GAP IS NOW AT LEAST BEING ADDRESSED. CERTAINLY WITH STATE DOLLARS. IN THE FUTURE, WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT HAVING TO RECOVER THAT WITH LOCAL DOLLARS, WITH COUNTY DOLLARS. AND CERTAINLY THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SNAP PROGRAM ACROSS OUR RESIDENTS IS SO IMPORTANT. BUT AT LEAST FOR NOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT BEING ABLE TO CLOSE THAT GAP WITH STATE DOLLARS AS OPPOSED TO COUNTY DOLLARS. IS THAT CORRECT? THEY WON'T CUT US OFF THE NEXT YEAR. [LAUGHTER] IT'S. YOU GUYS WORK WONDERS EVERY YEAR. YOU PULL MAGIC OUT OF YOUR HAT. SO I REALLY APPLAUD YOU ON THIS. THIS IS A LOT OF WORK. [00:45:01] AND TO DO THIS AND NOT CUT SERVICES TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR'S POINT, THE SNAP SITUATION IS DIRE. THE HEALTH BENEFITS SITUATION IS TERRIBLE. YES ABSOLUTELY SO AND PEOPLE'S NEEDS ARE GOING UP. YEAH DEREK FROM THE FOOD BANKS HERE, IF ANYBODY IS UNCERTAIN ABOUT THAT, I'M SURE HE CAN CONFIRM THAT THAT STATEMENT IS ACCURATE. SO YOU GUYS DID A BUNCH OF MAGIC HERE. AND KEEPING OUR TAX RATE FOR THE MOST PART FLAT IS GREAT. IT'S ACTUALLY EVEN A DECREASE. SO I CONGRATULATE YOU ON THAT. THANK YOU. DO I NEED TO. OH. OH I'M SORRY [LAUGHTER]. ALL RIGHT SO RESOLUTION 26-790 IS AUTHORIZATION [LAUGHTER] TO EXCEED THE COUNTY BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK AND SET THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 14TH AT 6:00 P.M. 26-791 IS AUTHORIZATION FOR THE READING OF THE 2026 BUDGET BY TITLE ONLY. 26-792 IS AUTHORIZATION FOR EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION CERTIFICATION. AND 26-793 IS AUTHORIZING SOMERSET COUNTY TO EXCEED THE COUNTY ENTITY BUDGET REQUEST CAP FOR THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS. AND 26-794 IS AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY TO EXCEED THE COUNTY ENTITY BUDGET REQUEST CAP FOR THE BOARD OF TAXATION. AS THE FINANCE CHAIR, COMMISSIONER SOOY WOULD YOU LIKE TO CALL FOR THE MOTION? SO MOVED COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. YES YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL RIGHT. RESOLUTION 700 DESIGNATING A PUBLIC HEARING ON APRIL 14TH, 2026, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AMENDING THE SOMERSET COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN TO INCLUDE THE CHANGE IN LOCATION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE NJDEP RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION RD&D PROJECT TO HANDLE THE END-OF-LIFE SOLAR PANELS WITH NEWTECH RECYCLING. BLOCK 518.06. LOTS 1, 2 AND 3.01. BLOCK 521.02, LOT 25 IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. IS THERE. YOU CALL FOR A MOTION? [LAUGHTER] OKAY. MOTION TO SET THIS PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE RESOLUTION FOR APRIL 14TH. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES RESOLUTION 26-701. AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY KNOWN AS BLOCK 173, LOT 51 AND THE TOWNSHIP OF HILLSBOROUGH OWNED BY ROBERTS. ROBERTS ROAD 21, LLC. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $203,000. 26-702 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF A DENSITOMETER IN AS IS CONDITION TO MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1. 26-703. ALSO AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF A PLATE MAKER IN AS IS CONDITION TO MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1. SO THESE TWO MACHINES WE USED FOR OUR ENVELOPE PRINTER IN THE PAST, WE HAVE SINCE UPGRADED OUR ENVELOPE PRINTER TO A QUICKER, MORE EFFICIENT MACHINE THAT USES LESS DANGEROUS TOXIC MATERIALS. HOWEVER, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH OUR EQUIPMENT BECAUSE WE ALWAYS KEEP IT IN REALLY GOOD CONDITION AND THIS IS GOOD LEARNING EQUIPMENT FOR THE STUDENTS. AND NONE OF THIS HAS ANY OF THE TOXIC STUFF IN IT, SO THEY GET TO USE IT FOR FREE TO LEARN HOW TO WORK IN A PRINT SHOP. AND THEY CAN COME ONE DAY AND WORK IN OUR COUNTY PRINT SHOP. YEAH. FOR A BARGAIN DOLLAR [LAUGHTER]. 26-704 AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE SOMERSET COUNTY CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION AND RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR USE OF PREMISES FOR THE 2026 TEEN ARTS FESTIVAL. 26-705 AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A GRAND LUMINARY AMERICAN FLAG FROM THE BOROUGH OF ROCKY HILL TO SOMERSET COUNTY. [00:50:02] CAN YOU. CAN YOU JUST TELL THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS ABOUT THAT FLAG A LITTLE BIT? I'M SORRY. I'M PUTTING YOU ON THE SPOT THERE. WHICH WE BELIEVE IS ABOUT CREATED IN 1865. SO IT'S A HISTORICAL FLAG THAT WAS OWNED BY HUNTINGTON WOLCOTT FREEMAN, WHO LIVED IN ROCKY HILL IN THE 1860S UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1906. A GRAND LUMINARY OR GREAT STAR FLAG, WHICH HAS A SMALL STARS REPRESENTING THE THEN CURRENT NUMBER OF STATES, WERE ARRANGED TO COMPOSE A LARGER STAR WITHIN THE BLUE CANTON. THE 36-STAR FLAG BEGAN BEING USED DURING THE LAST SIX MONTHS OF THE CIVIL WAR. ROCKY HILL'S FLAG IS SAID TO HAVE FLOWN HERE WHEN ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAS ASSASSINATED. AND IN 2021, THE FLAG WAS CONSERVED AND REMOUNTED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE BOROUGH OF ROCKY HILL AND THE SOMERSET COUNTY CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION. SO THEY NEED A HOME FOR THIS FLAG, AND WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT ONE. [LAUGHTER] SO THAT'S IT THAT YOU GUYS GET TO DECIDE THAT.[LAUGHTER]. AND 26-706 IS AUTHORIZING THE SOMERSET COUNTY CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT FUNDING IF AWARDED FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF STATE DIVISION OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM COOPERATIVE MARKETING GRANT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $15,000 WITH REQUIRE 25% MATCH FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. THANK YOU. 26-707 APPROVING PLANS AND AUTHORIZING RECEIPT OF BIDS FOR REPLACEMENT MORGAN PELLOWSKI PLAYGROUND AT COLONIAL PARK, FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, CONTRACT 26010. RESOLUTION 26-708 AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE BOND #SUR0045222 IN THE AMOUNT OF $499,872.78 TO SERITAGE SRC FINANCE LLC AS PRINCIPAL AND ARGONAUT INSURANCE COMPANY AS SURETY FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE 118,000 SQUARE FOOT SEARS DEPARTMENT STORE LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF WATCHUNG, FILE NUMBER WC 142S. RESOLUTION 26-709 AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE A TREE REPLACEMENT GUARANTEE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET, RIDGE OAK MANAGEMENT INC AND RIDGE OAK INC. 26-710 IS REVISING AND RESTATING THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR THE GOVERNMENTAL 457(B) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR SOMERSET COUNTY EMPLOYEES. 26-711 AUTHORIZING THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE TO APPLY TO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANT FOR THE TIME PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 TO SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027, AND TO ACCEPT FUNDING IF AWARDED IN THE AMOUNT UP TO $500,000. 26-712 AUTHORIZING THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE TO APPLY TO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY FOR THE DISTRACTED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT GRANT FOR THE TIME PERIOD OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 TO SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027 AND TO ACCEPT FUNDING IF AWARDED IN THE AMOUNT UP TO $350,000. 26-713 AUTHORIZING THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE TO APPLY TO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY FOR THE IMPAIRED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT GRANT FOR THE TIME PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 TO SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027, AND TO ACCEPT FUNDING IF AWARDED IN THE AMOUNT UP OF UP TO $500,000. 26-714 AUTHORIZING THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE TO APPLY TO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY FOR THE NON-MOTORIZED TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANT FOR THE TIME PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 TO SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027, AND TO ACCEPT FUNDING IF AWARDED IN AN AMOUNT OF UP TO $100,000. 26-715 AUTHORIZING THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE TO APPLY TO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY FOR THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION GRANT FOR THE TIME PERIOD OF DECEMBER 1ST, 2026 TO SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027, AND TO ACCEPT FUNDING IF AWARDED IN AN AMOUNT OF UP TO $250,000. 26-716 AUTHORIZING A SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SAFETY FIELDS. FOR THE TIME PERIOD OF MARCH 3RD, 2026 TO MAY 12TH, 2027. 26-717 AUTHORIZING A NO COST EXTENSION FOR THE ENHANCED LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT, THE ORIGINAL AWARD WAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,087,124 TO BE EXTENDED BY MARCH 30TH, 2026 HAS BEEN EXTENDED [00:55:03] TO JULY 31ST, 2026. RESOLUTION 26-718 AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET TO ACCEPT A VEHICLE FROM NJ TRANSIT TO BE USED UNDER THE SECTION 5310 PROGRAM AND TO EXECUTE TRANSFER OF VEHICLE FROM A LEASE. 26-719 AWARD OF CONTRACT TO ENHANCED VOTING LLC OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, FOR PURCHASE OF ELECTION EQUIPMENT TO THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS FOR 2026 ELECTIONS PRIMARY AND GENERAL TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $35,000. 26-720 AWARD OF CONTRACT TO DESESA ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC OUT OF LIVINGSTON, NEW JERSEY FOR THE RECYCLING CENTER HVAC UPGRADES 40 POLHEMUS LANE, BRIDGEWATER TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,415,000. 26-721 AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT TO BETTINA SHOLK REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL, EAST BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY FOR AS NEEDED APPRAISAL SERVICES FOR THE YEAR 2026 TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $10,000. 26-722 AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO VAN CLEEF ENGINEERING, HILLSBORO, NEW JERSEY FOR THE NESHANIC VALLEY GOLF COURSE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATIONS FOR YEAR 2026, BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $45,570. 26-723 AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO T&M ASSOCIATES, MIDDLETOWN, NEW JERSEY FOR COUNTY ROUTE 601 BELLE MEAD-BLAWENBURG ROAD AND EAST MOUNTAIN ROAD, INTERSECTION FINAL DESIGN, MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $579,160. RESOLUTION 26-724 CONSULTANT AGREEMENT MODIFICATION #2 TO WSP USA INC, NEW YORK, NEW YORK FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MOUNTAINVIEW ROAD BRIDGE D0202 OVER BEDEN'S BROOK, MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $93,573.79 FOR A NEW CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $605,554.19. RESOLUTION 26-725, AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER #1 AND FINAL PAYMENT FOR PERFORMANCE MECHANICAL CORP, WALL NEW JERSEY FOR SOMERSET COUNTY GRAVITY VENTILATOR REPLACEMENT FOR THE PROSECUTOR'S BUILDING 40 NORTH BRIDGE STREET, SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY. CONTRACT 19022. THE AS-BID CONTRACT AMOUNT IS $368,000. THE FINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT IS $335,638. THIS CHANGE ORDER #1 IS A DECREASE OF $32,362. RESOLUTION 26-726 AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER #1 FOR FINAL PAYMENT FOR ATG RESTORATION SPECIALISTS INC. HOLMDEL, NEW JERSEY FOR EXTERIOR REPAIRS TO THE VAN HORNE HOUSE, PHASE III, 941 EAST MAIN STREET, BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP. THE AS-BID CONTRACT AMOUNT IS $994,000. THE FINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT IS $976,289.90. THIS CHANGE ORDER #1 IS A DECREASE OF $17,710.10. SPEAKING OF VAN HORNE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE AND I WERE THERE LAST WEEK. THE RAMP, THE HANDICAP RAMP THAT WAS REALLY FALLING APART BEFORE IT CAME OUT SO BEAUTIFUL. THE WAY THAT IT'S BEEN REDESIGNED WITH THE CONCRETE AND JUST THE SPINDLES THAT ARE AT THE HOUSE, IT LOOKS SO FIT FOR THE HOUSE, EVEN THOUGH THAT'S A HISTORIC HOUSE. THE WAY THEY DESIGNED IT CAME OUT SO BEAUTIFUL TO BLEND IN WITH THE DECOR OF THE HOUSE. IT JUST IT CAME OUT REALLY NICELY. SO ALL THE WORK BEING DONE THERE IS REALLY COMING OUT BEAUTIFUL. SO THANK YOU. 26-727 AWARD A CONTRACT TO SHI INTERNATIONAL OUT OF SOMERSET NEW JERSEY FOR THE ANNUAL RENEWAL OF OUR ADOBE ENTERPRISE SUBSCRIPTIONS UTILIZING THE NEW JERSEY COOPERATIVE PURCHASING ALLIANCE CONTRACT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $24,258.77. RESOLUTION 26-728 AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION 26-326 TO AUTHORIZE SUBCONTRACTS FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1ST, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2026, AND TO CERTIFY FUNDS FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1ST, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30TH OF 2026. [01:00:04] TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $64,506.75. 26-729 AWARD OF CONTRACT TO TELEDYNE. TELEDYNE FLIR TO DEFENSE, INC. ELKRIDGE, MARYLAND FOR SKY WATCH. UPGRADES TO THE SKY WATCH TOWER. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $84,913.60. RESOLUTION 26-730 AUTHORIZING UTILIZATION OF CO-OP CONTRACT 15-A ITEM #7 TO PURCHASE A 2026 CHEVROLET TAHOE CK 10706. IT'S FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE FROM NIELSEN, NOT TO EXCEED $58,071.52. 26-731 AUTHORIZING THE CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR A PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO PREMIUM PRODUCTIONS FOR PRINTING AND MAILING SERVICES FOR OUR SPRING AND SUMMER EDITION OF THE UNFOLDED DIRECT MAIL NEWSLETTER, WITH A MINIMUM OF 25% POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED CONTENT TOTAL, NOT TO EXCEED $23,075. 26-732 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS FOR SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE SOMERSET COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $4,374.90. 26-733 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO GSP PROPERTIES, LLC. MENDHAM, NEW JERSEY FOR MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR REPAIR OF VARIOUS PARK COMMISSION STRUCTURES. CONTRACT 25012 TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $300,362. DIRECTOR JAMES FROM IT JUST LET ME KNOW THAT WE ARE WITHOUT SOUND CURRENTLY, BUT THE CAPTIONS [LAUGHTER] ARE WORKING ON THE LIVE STREAM. HE IS WORKING ON IT. OKAY, THANK YOU [01:08:44] $22,545.50. IS THERE A MOTION TO [LAUGHTER] SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. YES YES. WE HAVE ITEMS TO BE ADDED FOR ADOPTION AT OUR AT OUR REGULAR MEETING. RESOLUTION 26-646 THIS IS AUTHORIZING THE MORTGAGE MODIFICATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND OUR RESORT DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, THE COUNTY CLERK THIS IS RESOLUTION 26-647 THIS IS AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF FIRST QUARTER MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FROM SHI INTERNATIONAL FOR THE HARRIS ACCLAIM RECORDING SOFTWARE FOR THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE UTILIZING THE BERGEN COUNTY CO-OP TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $18,429.97. [01:13:18] MIC]. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 26-646 THROUGH 26-656. OKAY. SO COME TO THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING. THE REGULAR MEETING. RESOLUTIONS 26-646 THROUGH 26-656. SO MOVE ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.