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County introduces ordinance to continue, expand hospital fee program; public hearing set for June 10
Summary
The Cumberland County Board of County Commissioners introduced Ordinance 2025-2 on first reading to amend earlier county ordinances authorizing a county option hospital fee program. Commissioners opened discussion about potential local impacts on emergency medical services and scheduled a public hearing and final vote for June 10, 2025.
The Cumberland County Board of County Commissioners introduced Ordinance 2025-2 on first reading at its May 13 meeting. The ordinance would amend and supplement Ordinance 2023-2 and Ordinance 2024-4 to authorize continuation and expansion of the New Jersey county-option hospital fee program for Cumberland County.
Why it matters: The county-option hospital fee program can affect hospital funding and county revenue; commissioners raised concerns about downstream effects on township emergency medical services and volunteer recruitment.
Commissioners moved and seconded to read the ordinance on first reading by title only and then opened discussion. One commissioner said the county and hospital system had previously discussed large sums and recalled a figure “close to $40,000,000” in hospital-related revenue; the speaker characterized township emergency medical services as under financial strain and urged the hospital and others to help with solutions.
Director Sarra read the formal notice on the record that Ordinance 2025-2 was introduced and approved on first reading on May 13, 2025, and that the ordinance will be further considered for final passage after a public hearing at a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Cumberland County Administration Building, 164 West Broad Street, Bridgeton. The public will have an opportunity at that hearing to present comments and objections, and copies of the ordinance will be made available at the clerk’s office during the week prior to the hearing.
Board members said a meeting with hospital representatives and township officials is scheduled for May 22 to discuss concerns and potential contributions toward local EMS sustainability. Commissioners did not adopt the ordinance at this meeting; the action taken was introduction on first reading and scheduling of the public hearing and final vote.
Action taken: Ordinance 2025-2 was introduced and approved on first reading; the final vote is scheduled for June 10, 2025.
