Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Morris County unveils $50M‑plus 2026 capital plan, prioritizing roads, safety and strategic facility upgrades
Summary
The Morris County Board of Commissioners reviewed a 2026 capital plan on Dec. 17 that totals just over $50 million, with about $30 million for infrastructure projects and $13.1 million in grants reducing the net county impact to roughly $36.9 million. Deputy Director Steven Shaw presented details on road resurfacings, dam safety, and facility improvements.
Deputy Director Steven Shaw on Dec. 17 presented Morris County’s 2026 capital plan to the Board of Commissioners, describing a program that totals just over $50 million and emphasizes road, bridge and safety investments while leveraging $13.1 million in grant funding to reduce the county’s net cost to about $36.9 million.
Shaw, who led the capital budget committee, framed the package as a mix of standard, strategic and infrastructure investments that respond to rising construction costs while maintaining core services. “This is a very responsible plan,” Shaw said, adding the committee balanced maintaining existing assets with targeted investments.
The plan splits spending into three categories. Standard investments total just over $13.3 million for ongoing operational needs including security upgrades, sheriff’s equipment, buildings and grounds, vehicle replacements (notably paratransit buses) and IT and cybersecurity upgrades. Strategic investments are listed at roughly $6.7 million (presenter noted $6,655,261) for priority projects such as fire alarm and sprinkler upgrades, improvements to emergency communications systems and a Sheriff’s Patrol Building fit‑out. Infrastructure investments are the largest component at just over $30 million—about 60% of the plan—focusing on road resurfacing, dam safety projects, intersection work, bridge design and drainage and railroad rehabilitation.
Shaw named specific resurfacing projects funded in the 2026 plan: 3.6 miles on Fairmont Avenue (Chatham Borough and Chatham Township), 1.3 miles on Green Pine Road (Rockaway Township), 1.8 miles on Ridgedale Avenue (Florham Park/East Hanover) and 4 miles of West Mill Road (Washington Township). The presentation also cited the Center for Health Professions at the County College of Morris as an example of strategic educational investment started earlier in the year.
County officials said the plan relies on a combination of county funding and external grants; Shaw noted the $13.1 million in grants materially lowers the net impact to taxpayers. Commissioner Shore and other commissioners thanked the budget committee and county finance staff for developing the plan and invited questions for follow up.
The presentation concluded with staff offering to answer detailed questions as commissioners review the proposed projects and budget line items. No formal vote on adoption of the capital plan was recorded on the transcript of the work session; staff indicated additional review and the usual budgetary process will follow.
