Morris County introduces 10 bond ordinances and adopts eight capital ordinances at meeting

At a regularly scheduled meeting, the Morris County Board of County Commissioners introduced 10 bond ordinances for capital projects and adopted eight ordinances on second and final reading, covering vehicle and equipment purchases, building repairs and information-technology upgrades.

"We're really happy that we get our capital budget all in line," Commissioner Schrecker said, noting the capital budget committee vetted the projects and the board and public received a December briefing.

The board introduced 10 bond ordinances (Ordinance 2025-9 through 2025-18) on first reading by title only. The introductions covered HVAC repair and replacement, interior building projects, window and roof waterproofing, bridge and drainage design and construction, road and railroad improvements, vehicle and equipment replacement, information-technology upgrades, an amendment to a previously adopted bond ordinance, a new K-9 facility for the Morris County Sheriff's Office, and vehicle and equipment replacement for the Morris County Park Commission. Deputy Director Shaw called each roll call and commissioners voted to introduce the ordinances; Commissioner Cabana was recorded as absent during the roll call for Ordinance 2025-9.

The board then held public hearings and adopted eight ordinances (Ordinance 2025-1 through 2025-8) on second and final reading. The adopted ordinances and the purposes announced on the record are listed below. The clerk opened each public hearing and recorded that no members of the public wished to speak before the board closed the hearing and proceeded to roll call votes.

Votes at a glance:

- Ordinance 2025-1 — $460,000 for Morris County Sheriff's Office equipment (security cameras, bomb suit replacements, K-9 equipment, personal protection equipment). Outcome: adopted on second and final reading; roll call recorded unanimous approval.

- Ordinance 2025-2 — $295,053 for Morris County Prosecutor's Office equipment, vehicles and facility renovations (ballistic vests, evidence storage, high-tech crimes and intelligence unit renovations). Outcome: adopted on second and final reading; roll call recorded unanimous approval.

- Ordinance 2025-3 — $65,000 for various vehicle replacements, including a cargo van for Division of Buildings and Grounds. Outcome: adopted on second and final reading; roll call recorded unanimous approval.

- Ordinance 2025-4 — $120,000 for access-control system upgrades for the Morris County Prosecutor's Office; Outcome: adopted on second and final reading; roll call recorded unanimous approval.

- Ordinance 2025-5 — $314,000 for exterior building repairs and replacements for Buildings and Grounds; Outcome: adopted on second and final reading; roll call recorded unanimous approval.

- Ordinance 2025-6 — $101,846,800 for equipment replacement at Morris View (generators and air handlers among items listed). Outcome: adopted on second and final reading; roll call recorded unanimous approval.

- Ordinance 2025-7 — $50,000 for an antenna upgrade on the Administration and Records Building; Outcome: adopted on second and final reading; roll call recorded unanimous approval.

- Ordinance 2025-8 — $110,807 for replacement and upgrades at the Public Safety Training Academy; Outcome: adopted on second and final reading; roll call recorded unanimous approval.

Introduced bond ordinances (first reading by title only): Ordinance 2025-9 through 2025-18 were introduced with stated appropriations and authorizations for bond issuance; roll calls for introductions were recorded on the public record. The capital budget committee chair said the committee vetted the items and briefed the board and public in December. No public testimony was offered on the ordinances during hearings that led to adoption of the eight ordinances.

No amendments were reported during the meeting and no county appropriations to fund new recurring programs were proposed during the adopted ordinance votes.