HILLSBOROUGH: Somerset County budget brightened by rosier economy

   The Somerset County Board of Freeholders has introduced a 2013 county budget that features some modest revenue increases for the first time in several years. A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held Thursday, April 11, at 5 p.m. at the county administration building, 20 Grove St., Somerville.
   ”What makes this year a little bit different is that we believe we may finally be seeing a turnaround in the economic conditions facing the county, and a sign that future budgets may not be left to choose between further cuts in services and raising tax revenues,” said Freeholder Robert Zaborowski, county finance chairman.
   The $214.7 million budget shows an overall increase in spending of $3.7 million, or 1.7 percent, from last year’s $210.9 million. Of this amount, the county’s operating expenses have increased by $777,978, or 0.56 percent.
   ”We believe we’ve seen a turnaround in the overall real estate market,” Mr. Zaborowski said. “A 22 percent increase in real estate transactions is contributing to a $2.13 million increase in county revenues to help offset other cost increases.”
    He noted that the county’s general economic conditions have improved. Unemployment has dropped to 6.9 percent from a high of 8 percent in 2009 and 2010. New Jersey’s unemployment rate was 9.3 percent as of December.
The freeholders are planning to collect about $174.2 million in county taxes, which would be roughly a $3.3 million increase, or 1.97 percent, over the 2012 levy. Last year, the tax levy went up by 1.3 percent.
   ”County government is a service-providing organization,” he said. “When the economy is not strong, demand for services we provide — typically to those on fixed and low-to-moderate incomes — increases.
   The proposed budget:
   • Maintains nearly all critical services by fully funding the continued transition to countywide 911 dispatch, preserving funding for local volunteer fire departments and volunteer rescue squads, and absorbing the Somerset County Police Academy into the county budget. Six positions have been added in Public Safety Radio as the county continues to expand its shared emergency dispatching to additional towns.
   • Continues funding for all county services to seniors, such as the in-home meals program, the seven senior centers, and programs at the Board of Social Services to help seniors stay in their own homes rather than going into nursing homes.
   • Fully funds all 15 labor agreements with various unions and makes all mandatory contributions to pension and health benefit funds.
    • Reflects mandatory debt payments to pay for the cost of cleanups from tropical storms Sandy and Irene. The cost of capital debt and 2011 and 2012 storm-cleanup costs require an additional $ 2.9 million.
• Offsets increases with reductions in salary costs and by keeping a check on non-salary expenses. An additional 23 positions, valued at more than $900,000, will not be filled in 2013, and an additional $1.02 million worth of budget items won’t be funded this year. Since 2008, the county has trimmed a total of 125 positions, mostly through attrition, and has permanently cut the non-salary portion of the budget by nearly $5.4 million.
• Allows the county to continue all shared services  to meet commitments to help municipalities reduce reliance on property taxes and to maintain programs to help the county’s most vulnerable citizens.’”“’”’