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Bergen County adopts 2025 budget unanimously, commissioners highlight services and capital projects
Summary
The Bergen County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the county2025 budget (resolution 6-14-25) after a public hearing with no speakers. Commissioners and the county executive highlighted investments in public safety, human services, education and capital projects and described the budget as a reflection of county priorities.
The Bergen County Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 on June 14 to adopt the 2025 Bergen County budget, approving resolution 6-14-25 after a public hearing at which no members of the public spoke. The board moved the resolution to nonconsent, opened a brief public hearing, then adopted the budget by roll call vote.
Commissioners said the budget prioritizes public safety, human services and infrastructure while preserving reserve levels. "Budgeting is about priorities," Budget Chairman Steve Tonelli said, thanking the chief financial officer, treasurer and department heads for the line-by-line review. County Executive Jim Tedesco described the budget as "the administration's budget presented to the commissioners" and said the document is fluid as grants and adjustments are added.
The budget includes funding mentioned by commissioners for emergency medical services, the Office of Food Security, park and recreation programming, workforce and vocational education, and capital repairs at Bergen Community College. Commissioners highlighted a career innovation high school under construction in Paramus intended to provide career-focused programs and noted continued investments in county vocational-technical education. The board also cited ongoing support for housing, health and human services centers and programs for domestic violence survivors.
Tedesco told commissioners the packet included 27 grant-related resolutions totaling more than $12 million and that, according to staff, about $8 million of that amount would need adjustments and additions to the adopted budget, illustrating the document20
(For clarity: grant adjustments described by the county executive were identified as needing to be added or amended in the adopted budget packet; specific sources and line items were not detailed during the meeting.)
Before the vote, Budget Chairman Tonelli thanked CFO John Reinhart, Treasurer Melissa Howard and finance staff for their work preparing the document and for facilitating department presentations during budget hearings. Commissioners individually thanked department heads and staff for programs the budget maintains or expands, including workforce development, senior services, veterans programs, mental health services and shared services with municipalities.
Action: The board voted on a motion to adopt resolution 6-14-25 as read by the clerk. Roll-call votes recorded seven affirmative votes and no negatives; the chair announced the resolution25 passes unanimously.
The adoption was followed by the opening of the general public comment period. The commission then moved to consider a consent agenda of other resolutions and to introduce multiple ordinances for first reading.
