Morris County commissioners introduce 2025 budget, approve COLA increase and pass multiple capital ordinances

The Board of County Commissioners of Morris County on Feb. 26 introduced the county's 2025 budget, approved a resolution to increase the allowable COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) percentage up to 3.5% and to establish a cap bank, and moved a slate of capital ordinances and bond measures covering buildings, roads, public safety and park projects.

Budget committee chair Commissioner Deborah Smith, speaking at the meeting in Morristown, said, "There will be no county tax rate increase for a sixth consecutive year," and framed the spending plan as fiscally responsible while meeting mandated costs and service needs.

The resolution to increase the COLA to 3.5% and to establish a cap bank (NJSA 40A:4-45.14), labeled Resolution A on the agenda, was adopted by roll call. The board also introduced and approved the 2025 budget and tax resolution (Resolution B) and set a public hearing on the full 2025 budget for March 26, 2025, at 7:05 p.m. The adopted budget summary read: total general appropriations $376,553,876.64; less anticipated revenue $82,521,232.65; amount to be raised by taxation $294,032,643.99.

Nut graf: The package keeps the county tax rate flat while allocating new and continuing funding for public safety, human services, county colleges and the park system. The board also moved multiple capital projects through first readings and final adoptions to fund…