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Millville reports UEZ board approved about $312,000 to pay sheriff patrols; county approval and shared-services agreement required
Summary
Commissioner Joe Sui reported that the Millville-Vineland Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) board approved approximately $312,000 to pay the sheriff's department to patrol the UEZ; the plan requires state approval and a shared-services agreement with the county before funds are expended.
During commissioner reports on April 1, Commissioner Joe Sui told the commission that the Millville–Vineland Urban Enterprise Zone board has approved approximately $312,000 to pay the sheriff’s department to patrol the UEZ and that the next step is to obtain state approval and finalize a shared-services agreement with the county. Sui said the money would come from UEZ funds (not local property taxes) and described prior-year UEZ receipts rising from about $1 million to roughly $4 million this year, enabling additional projects.
Why it matters: Using UEZ funds for additional patrols is intended to increase police presence in the Urban Enterprise Zone where residents and the Holly City Development Corporation surveys have identified a perceived lack of police visibility. The arrangement is contingent on state approval and a county shared-services agreement, and commissioners and members of the public asked for additional detail on coverage hours and whether any funds would remain unspent.
What was said and follow-up: Sui thanked Sheriff Mike Donato and Holly City Development Corporation staff (Heather Santoro) and credited UEZ marketing and program spending for increased UEZ revenues. A public commenter asked whether patrols would be nighttime and how hours would be allocated; the commission responded that operational details were provided to the UEZ board and that staff (Heather Santoro) could supply the detailed breakdown. Commissioner Sui said $70,000 of the funds were earmarked for mobile patrols in the Mobile UEZ. Commissioners and public commenters expressed interest in more detailed budgets and schedules; staff indicated they would provide the specific breakdown outside the public forum or via staff follow-up.
Status and risks: This item was reported as a UEZ board approval and not recorded as a binding commission appropriation at this meeting; the arrangement still requires state-level approval and a county shared-services agreement. Commissioners characterized the action as a stopgap measure given staffing shortages in the police department while additional recruits complete academy training.
