Essex County adopts $460.4 million 2025 budget; board approves cap bank and dozens of contracts

The Essex County Board of County Commissioners on April 3 adopted the county’s 2025 budget and approved a series of supplemental financial and contract measures. The board voted to adopt a $460,435,000 appropriation for county purposes after a brief public hearing in which no members of the public spoke on the budget.

Treasurer Hussam Mohammed presented the budget statement to commissioners and explained that the resolution would allow the county to read the budget by title only and then adopt it by roll call. Commissioners then closed the public hearing and approved the budget; the deputy clerk recorded unanimous “yes” votes from the commissioners present (one commissioner was absent). The board also approved Resolution R2025-00302, authorizing the county to exceed the tax levy and establish a cap bank for future use.

The meeting opened with introduction and first reading of three bond ordinances. Ordinance No. 1 authorizes acquisition of a Verona property to create a consolidated county warehouse, with a stated authorization of $5,000,000 and bonds/notes of $4,000,007.60; Treasurer Mohammed…