Sussex County adopts 2025 budget; approves bond ordinances, college funding and appointments

The Sussex County Board of County Commissioners on April 23 adopted the county''2025 budget and approved several ordinances and appointments during its regularly scheduled meeting at the Sussex County Administrative Center in Newton.

The board adopted the 2025 county budget as approved, appropriating $126,714,441.56 and authorizing $103,907,650 for county purposes. Director Chris Carney moved to open the final adoption motion; Deputy Director Jill Space moved the final adoption and Commissioner Jack DeGroot seconded. The roll call vote was: Commissioner William Hayden ' yes; Commissioner Allen Henderson ' abstain; Deputy Director Jill Space ' yes; Director Chris Carney ' yes; Commissioner Jack DeGroot ' yes. The motion carried.

The board also took final action on three ordinances introduced at prior meetings:

- Bond Ordinance 25-01, providing $3,731,600 for the Sussex County Vocational School District sewer treatment plant project and authorizing issuance of $3,731,600 in bonds or notes. Deputy Director Jill Space moved final adoption, Commissioner Allen Henderson seconded. Roll call: Hayden ' abstain; Henderson ' yes; Space ' yes; Carney ' yes; DeGroot ' yes. The ordinance was adopted.

- Bond Ordinance 25-02, appropriating $1,150,000 for capital improvements at Sussex County Community College and authorizing like-amount bonds or notes; the ordinance states the principal and interest on which will be entitled to state aid under Chapter 12 of the Laws of New Jersey of 2019. Deputy Director Space moved final adoption; Commissioner DeGroot seconded. Roll call: Hayden ' abstain; Henderson ' yes; Space ' yes; Carney ' yes; DeGroot ' yes. The ordinance was adopted.

- Capital Ordinance 25-03, providing $8,535,128 from the county's capital improvement fund for general capital improvements and equipment. The ordinance was adopted on a unanimous roll call.

The board approved a set of resolutions (A'D) and a slate of contract awards/change orders (Resolutions A'K) by roll call; all were adopted with affirmative votes recorded at the meeting. The payments-of-bills list (Bills List A, dated 04/09/2025) also passed on roll call. The board adopted an appointment resolution naming Matthias Banner as Sussex County purchasing agent for a three-year term pursuant to N.J.S.A. 48:9-30; the motion carried.

Public hearings required by statute were opened and closed before final votes where appropriate. A public hearing on the budget was opened and the board heard public comment from Ken Collins of Andover Township before closing the hearing and proceeding to final adoption.

The board authorized the clerk to advertise the adopted ordinances and resolutions and to post final adoption notices on the county bulletin board in the administrative center lobby.

Votes at a glance (key items)

- 2025 Sussex County budget (final adoption): yes 4, abstain 1 (Hayden), outcome: adopted. - Ordinance 25-01 (Vocational School District sewer project, $3,731,600 bonds): yes 4, abstain 1 (Hayden), outcome: adopted. - Ordinance 25-02 (Sussex County Community College capital improvements, $1,150,000 bonds): yes 4, abstain 1 (Hayden), outcome: adopted. - Ordinance 25-03 (capital improvements, $8,535,128 from capital improvement fund): unanimous yes, outcome: adopted. - Appointment: Matthias Banner, purchasing agent (three-year term pursuant to N.J.S.A. 48:9-30): adopted. - Resolutions A'D and Awards/Change Orders A'K: adopted by roll call. - Payments-of-bills list A (04/09/2025): adopted by roll call.

Why it matters: The budget establishes county spending and revenue authority for the year; the bond ordinances fund infrastructure and campus projects at the vocational school and community college; the purchasing agent appointment fills a statutorily-required county administrative role.

What the board said: The board held statutorily required readings and public hearings before final votes. The budget motion and each ordinance were adopted after roll-call votes; one commissioner registered abstentions on the college- and vocational-related bond measures and on the budget.

What happens next: Adopted ordinances will be advertised as finally adopted and posted on the county administrative center bulletin board as customary. Funding and project implementation steps (bid awards, contractor notices, state aid claims) were not detailed at the meeting and will proceed per county administrative processes and applicable state laws.

Ending: The meeting moved on to routine agenda items after the final-adoption votes and to public comment and departmental reports before adjournment at 7:31 p.m.