Warren County commissioners introduce $116.7 million 2025 budget, set public hearing for March 26

Warren County commissioners introduced the county’s 2025 operating and capital budget during their Feb. 26, 2025 meeting, setting a 30-day public review period and scheduling a public hearing and adoption vote for March 26. The board approved related resolutions to exceed the tax levy limits and to apply the state tax levy cap framework to the 2025 budget. Director Jason J. Sarnoski and County CFO Kim Francisco spoke about next steps and public access to the documents.

The board approved a budget document showing total appropriations of $116,684,465.64, anticipated revenues of $37,184,465.64 and an amount to be raised by county taxation of $79,500,000.00. On the floor of the meeting, the board voted unanimously on a package of budget resolutions, including a resolution to exceed the Local Government Cap Law limits and to establish a tax-cap “bank” under N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14, and a separate resolution adopting the tax levy cap methodology the county will apply to the 2025 budget.

The nut of the introduction is procedural: commissioners moved the budget into the statutorily required 30-day public review period and will consider adoption at a March 26 public hearing. County CFO Kim Francisco told the board he would send the budget to the state for review and that the budget document would be posted on the county website later the week of Feb. 26 for public review.

Most of the board’s formal budget votes were offered by Commissioner James R. Kern (motion) and seconded by Commissioner Lori Ciesla. Director Sarnoski publicly thanked Francisco and county staff for preparing the budget.

Details the board approved at the meeting include a capital appropriation ordinance (ordinance 2025-A) authorizing $14,358,688.00 in general capital fund appropriations for road, bridge, building and equipment projects. The board also approved the Warren County Library’s 2025 budget, certifying $4,720,000 to be raised by taxation for library operations and capital. Commissioners recorded unanimous votes on these measures.

The budget introduction officially begins the statutorily required public review and state Division of Local Government Services review. A public hearing and adoption vote are scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 26, 2025 in the Commissioners Meeting Room at the Wayne Dumont Jr. Administration Building; county officials said the full budget will be posted on the county website prior to that date for public comment.