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 building repairs, road and bridge work, equipment replacement and park improvements.

Highlights and context

- Public-safety, courts and related programs account for roughly a quarter of the budget; another roughly 20% supports education, parks and human services, the budget committee said. Salaries and benefits, including health care and pension costs, account for a large portion of the county's spending.

- The county is continuing a $900,000 investment in economic development and tourism and earmarked an additional $100,000 to plan bicentennial celebrations. Funding for the Morris County Park System was raised to $9.4 million in the 2025 proposal. The budget committee also cited long-term preservation trust investments, including $169.4 million for farmland preservation, $300 million for open space preservation, $52.5 million for historic preservation, $10.6 million for flood mitigation and $6.5 million for trail design and construction (figures provided by the county during the presentation).

- The capital plan in the 2025 budget was presented at roughly $36 million after projected grant offsets.

Votes at a glance (resolutions and ordinances mentioned in the meeting)

- Resolution A (introduce COLA up to 3.5% and establish cap bank; NJSA 40A:4-45.14): Adopted by roll call (all voting members recorded 'Yes'). Public hearing on the full budget set for March 26, 2025, at 7:05 p.m.

- Resolution B (introduction of the 2025 budget and tax resolution; NJSA 40A:4-4): Adopted by roll call (all voting members recorded 'Yes'). Budget totals posted as shown above.

- First-reading capital improvement fund ordinances introduced by title only (each motion carried on roll call): 2025-19 (sprinkler upgrades, $60,000), 2025-20 (hotshot food wagon for nutrition program, $81,000), 2025-21 (workstations for Dept. of Human Services, $1,500,000), 2025-22 (radio/accessory equipment for communications center, $75,000), 2025-23 (mosquito control equipment, $45,000), 2025-24 (Sheriff's Office corrections security camera upgrades, $50,000), 2025-25 (dam study/review/decommissioning for park system, $375,000), 2025-26 (park roadway resurfacing, $410,000).

- Second-reading bond ordinances adopted on final reading (public hearings opened and closed with no public comment, then adopted by roll call): 2025-09 (HVAC repairs/replacement, $661,000 appropriation; $629,000 bonds/notes), 2025-10 (interior building projects, $961,000 appropriation; $915,000 bonds/notes), 2025-11 (window/roof waterproofing, $1,796,000 appropriation; $1,710,000 bonds/notes), 2025-12 (bridge and drainage design/construction, $6,260,916 appropriation; $5,962,000 bonds/notes), 2025-13 (road and railroad improvements, $7,438,190 appropriation; $7,083,000 bonds/notes), 2025-14 (vehicle/equipment replacement, $1,316,000 appropriation; $1,253,000 bonds/notes), 2025-15 (IT computer/network/server upgrades, $1,440,051 appropriation; $1,371,000 bonds/notes), 2025-16 (amendment to a prior bond ordinance to increase section 20 costs), 2025-17 (design/construction of new K-9 facility, $4,871,000 appropriation; $4,000,639 bonds/notes), 2025-18 (vehicle/equipment replacement for park commission, $1,220,500 appropriation; $1,162,000 bonds/notes).

Discussion and next steps

Commissioner Smith and fellow budget committee members said the budget is cap-compliant and noted state-mandated cost increases as a driver of some spending. Commissioner Doug Cabana highlighted investments in digital evidence-management tools and continued support for the county's communications and emergency medical services functions: "This year, we will broaden our commitment to law and public safety," he said during the presentation.

The board scheduled a public hearing on the full 2025 budget for March 26, 2025, at 7:05 p.m. County staff (chief financial officer, county administrator and county counsel) were authorized to take necessary steps to prepare for final adoption following that hearing.

Ending: The board completed roll calls to adopt the advertised resolutions and ordinances; no public speakers addressed the capital ordinances during their required public hearings.