Hunterdon County approves $1 million parks grant program, human‑services contracts and several ordinances

The Hunterdon County Board of County Commissioners on March 18 adopted a package of budget and program measures, awarded state and federal arts grants, and approved several contract and procurement items.

County Administrator Brad Meyer told commissioners the largest item on the agenda was a newly created municipal parks and recreation grant program that would appropriate $1,000,000 for municipal park and recreation projects. "This program would appropriate a million dollars for the purpose thereof," Meyer said, and he described application dates and match requirements (applications open May 12 and close Aug. 29; applicants may request up to $100,000 and must provide a 25% match).

The board also approved two human‑services contracts funded by the Older Americans Act area plan grant. Human Services Administrator Susan Nicola said the board was awarding $26,840 to Hunterdon Medical Center to operate a bimonthly caregiver support group (described in the resolution as $8,947 per year for Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2027) and a three‑year contract with Orion's Home Healthcare totaling $165,000 ($55,000 per year through Dec. 31, 2027) to provide housekeeping and personal care to help seniors remain in their homes. Both contracts passed on roll call.

On ordinance business the board held and closed public hearings and adopted ordinance 2025‑02 to set 2025 rates for Herringland Golf Course and ordinance 2025‑03 updating the county hazardous materials response cost‑recovery rules. The board also adopted a COLA/cap bank resolution permitting the county to increase its cap appropriation by 3.5% for 2025 (state default is 2.5%) to preserve budget flexibility in future years.

The board approved six National Endowment for the Arts special project awards administered by the county — six $10,000 grants to local nonprofits for semi‑quincentennial arts programming — following the cultural review panel's recommendations. County staff listed the six recommended projects and the board approved the awards.

Procurement approvals included turnout gear for the hazardous materials response unit (not to exceed $56,149.20) and a Murray Park steps/fence improvement contract (amount unclear in the transcript; listed in the meeting as "$54,003.90 $391.16"). The board also moved and approved a consent agenda containing additional routine resolutions and contract items.

Public comment included a request from resident Barbara Hillen asking the county to increase awareness and recognition of pediatric cancer; commissioners said the county has lit the courthouse gold in prior years for childhood cancer awareness and pledged to revisit formal recognition.

Votes at a glance - Resolution creating the FY2025 Municipal Parks & Recreation Grant Program (appropriation $1,000,000): adopted (roll call: unanimous). - Contract — Hunterdon Medical Center, caregiver support group (Older Americans Act): adopted (total noted $26,840; $8,947/yr 2025–2027): adopted (roll call: unanimous). - Contract — Orion's Home Healthcare, home‑health services (Older Americans Act): adopted (total $165,000; $55,000/yr through 12/31/2027): adopted (roll call: unanimous). - Ordinance 2025‑02 — Herringland Golf Course rates (public hearing and adoption): adopted (roll call: unanimous). - Ordinance 2025‑03 — Hazardous Materials Response cost recovery (public hearing and adoption): adopted (roll call: unanimous). - Resolution — COLA/cap bank (permit 3.5% cap increase and bank unused cap for 2 years): adopted (roll call: unanimous). - NEA Special Project Grant awards (six grants, $10,000 each): approved (roll call: unanimous). - Procurement — turnout gear, Skylands Area Fire Equipment & Training (not to exceed $56,149.20): approved (roll call: unanimous). - Procurement — Murray Park steps and fence improvements (amount unclear in transcript): approved (roll call: unanimous).

What changed and why it matters The new municipal parks and recreation grant program continues the board's recent push to support local park projects and active‑recreation infrastructure. The county raised the program from prior allocations and set application parameters intended to encourage larger municipal projects while requiring local matches. The COLA/cap bank resolution preserves budget flexibility for the county finance team as they finalize the FY2025 budget for introduction April 1.

What’s next - The parks grant application window was announced to open May 12 and close Aug. 29; municipalities can apply for awards up to $100,000 with a 25% match. - Staff will release details of the NEA grant awards and project timelines and will post contract details when executed. - The county continues final work on the FY2025 budget and will introduce it at the April 1 meeting.

Ending Most measures passed on unanimous roll calls; staff and commissioners said additional details, application materials and fully executed contracts will be published on the county website and at forthcoming meetings.