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Union County commissioners adopt 2026 bylaws, schedules and a slate of contracts in unanimous reorganization vote
Summary
At a Jan. 1 reorganization meeting the Union County Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted bylaws and the 2026 meeting schedule, appointed committees and approved multiple contracts and funding authorizations, including insurance, personnel counsel and park management budgets.
Union County commissioners met in reorganization session on Jan. 1, 2026, and unanimously approved a package of procedural and operational resolutions to begin the year, including adoption of the board—s bylaws and rules of procedure, designation of official newspapers, the board—s 2026 meeting schedule and appointment of standing committees and advisory-board liaisons. Chairman Joseph C. Bodek presided.
The board adopted a temporary 2026 budget and approved a long list of contract awards and renewals covering financial advisory services, auditing, labor and litigation counsel, insurance and employee health and benefit programs. Many motions were moved by Commissioner Alexander Mirabella and seconded by Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and carried on unanimous roll-call votes.
Why it matters: The actions set the county—s administrative and contracting framework for 2026 and authorized spending and vendor relationships that will govern county operations through the year, including multi-year extensions or dollar-capped agreements for legal services, insurance and park management.
What the board approved: Highlights of the resolutions the board adopted include the following (all passed on roll call): the Bylaws and Rules of Procedure for 2026 (Reso. 2026-1); the 2026 meeting schedule (2026-3); the Temporary Budget for 2026 (2026-6); authorization of financial advisory engagements with Lerch, Vinci & Higgins, LLP and Acacia Financial Group (2026-12, 2026-13); retention of statutory auditors (Wielkotz & Company, 2026-14); authorization of multiple litigation, redevelopment and labor counsel contracts with specified dollar caps (e.g., Hatfield Schwartz Law Group, 2026-27, not to exceed $250,000; Eric M. Bernstein & Associates, 2026-28, not to exceed $225,000); continuation or extension of health-insurance consulting and voluntary benefits services with Acrisure LLC (2026-37); equipment maintenance insurance (2026-39, not to exceed $750,000); renewal of dental insurance (2026-48, not to exceed $1,500,000); and award or approval of park and golf-course operational budgets managed by Kemper Sports Management (2026-73, combined total noted in the resolution).
The board also authorized program and community services contracts, including a contract for the operation of the Union County Children's Shelter (2026-68, not to exceed $764,840), a shared-services agreement with Union College to administer health and prescription benefits (2026-51), and concurrence with Workforce Development Board actions, including a youth-services extension with the United Way of Greater Union County under WIOA (2026-58, not to exceed $600,000). The board authorized initiation of competitive procurement for a micro-transit pilot program (2026-60) and approved capital project amendments and professional services lists for engineering, planning and construction management (e.g., guiderail and golf-course drainage amendments, 2026-65 and 2026-66).
Public comment and remarks: Bruce Paterson of Garwood spoke during the public comment period relative to Resolution 2026-37 and congratulated Chairman Bodek on his selection as chair for 2026. Several commissioners used their remarks to welcome newly seated Commissioners Stanley Neron and Joseph Signorello III, and to offer New Year—s greetings.
Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows unanimous roll-call approval for the bulk of the agenda items. Selected dollar-authorized items reported in the meeting record include: Lerch, Vinci & Higgins (financial advisory services) up to $100,000 (2026-12); Acacia Financial Group up to $25,000 (2026-13); equipment maintenance policy coverage up to $750,000 (2026-39); tuition reimbursement program up to $150,000 (2026-42); dental insurance renewal up to $1,500,000 (2026-48); and park management budgets for multiple facilities totaling up to $8,014,639 for the 2026-27 operational period (2026-73).
What to watch next: Several approvals authorize competitive procurements or 24-month extension options, which will lead to future contract details and agenda items as staff returns with procurement results or contract documents. The board's regular meetings for 2026 are published in the adopted schedule.
The meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m.
