Camden County adopts 2025 budget, funds 60‑bed Lakeland homeless facility and introduces bond ordinance for community college

Camden County commissioners adopted the county's 2025 budget as amended and approved a resolution to exceed the statutory appropriation limit and establish a cap bank, the board said during a meeting that also introduced a bond ordinance to finance improvements at Camden County College.

The budget was adopted by roll call after a public hearing and a separate walk-on amendment. Commissioner Nash said the budget "holds the line on taxes while providing more services," and county officials said the adopted plan includes new funding for homelessness services and other programs.

The budget matters because it sets county tax rates, spending priorities and funding for new programs. Commissioners emphasized that the county's property tax base has grown substantially in recent years and that the adopted budget reduces the tax rate while adding targeted spending for services such as homelessness programming.

What the board voted on and why - The board approved a resolution to read the 2025 Camden County budget by title only and subsequently adopted the budget after a public hearing and a walk-on amendment. The board also approved a separate resolution under N.J.S.A. 48:4-45.14 to exceed the county appropriation limit and establish a cap bank for 2025. - Commissioners voted to adopt a bond ordinance introducing an appropriation of $3,336,653 for various improvements at Camden County College and providing for the issuance of bonds or notes in the same amount. A public hearing on that bond ordinance was scheduled for May 2025 at the Camden County Courthouse at 12:00 p.m., the board said.

Homelessness funding and Lakeland facility During the public hearing, a resident asked about a new line item on page 12 for homelessness services, which the resident cited as "$770,700" as stated in the meeting. County staff said the item is part of a newly created department to develop, operate and oversee a residential homeless facility in the Lakeland area. Deputy Director McDonald (identified in the meeting by title) told the board the planned residential facility at Lakeland will include 60 beds and that construction will start shortly; the funds in the budget are "to help program that facility." County staff said the Lakeland project is funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars and discussed reallocations of ARPA awards as projects close.

On ARPA funds, county staff said the county received $98,000,000 under the American Rescue Plan; those funds have been obligated across large-scale projects, including nonprofit grants, rental assistance and the Lakeland facility. Officials said some reallocation has occurred when projects closed under budget and funds were moved to other projects.

Library social worker At the public hearing a resident asked whether the budget includes funding to expand a recently hired social worker who is providing free services at a county library. The county replied that only one social worker is included in the current budget and that additional hires would be considered in the future if needed.

Block votes, abstentions and a failed resolution The board voted by unanimous consent to act on resolutions in blocks. Resolutions 1 through 77 were adopted in block with individual abstentions recorded: Commissioner Cooley Fleischer abstained from resolution 9; Commissioner Nash abstained from resolutions 27, 57 and 58; Commissioner Young abstained from resolutions 6, 27 and 58; Director Cappelli registered abstentions on resolutions 3, 6, 27, 57 and 58. The board announced that there was no motion on resolution 78 and that resolution therefore did not pass.

Comments from members and context Commissioner Nash said the budget reduces the county tax rate by 5 cents this year, following a 6-cent reduction last year, and he noted the county's assessed tax base rose by $7 billion over the prior year (following a $5 billion increase the year before). County officials attributed the growth and ability to reduce the tax rate to economic demand, grant success and coordinated departmental work.

Several commissioners and staff thanked county employees and highlighted upcoming county events and recognitions, but the budget and homelessness funding were the most consequential items for county services.

Votes at a glance (key motions) - Resolution to read the 2025 Camden County budget by title only — Adopted (roll call recorded as "yes"). - Resolution under N.J.S.A. 48:4-45.14 to exceed appropriation limits and establish cap bank for 2025 — Adopted (roll call recorded as "yes"). - Public hearing and adoption of the 2025 Camden County budget (as amended, including a walk-on amendment) — Adopted (roll call recorded as "yes"). - Block vote: Resolutions 1'77 — Adopted. Individual abstentions recorded (see body). - Resolution 78 — Not passed (no motion). - Bond ordinance (introduction) for Camden County College, appropriation $3,336,653 with bonds/notes in like amount — Introduced; public hearing scheduled for May 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at the Camden County Courthouse — Adopted for introduction (roll call recorded as "yes").

What remains open or next steps - The bond ordinance for Camden County College will be the subject of a public hearing in May 2025 before final adoption. - County staff said construction on the Lakeland 60-bed homeless facility will begin "shortly," and programming funds for the facility are included in the adopted budget; details on construction schedule and contracts were not specified in the hearing.

Ending Commissioners completed the budget votes and moved on to other agenda items, including the introduction of the bond ordinance. Several commissioners reiterated thanks to county staff and highlighted upcoming community events.