The Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders introduced a $392 million operating budget March 5 that calls for a slight tax increase and a decreased workforce.
The 2009 budget is $4.96 million less than the 2008 budget despite large increased costs passed on to the county by the state and federal governments and reductions in programmatic funding, county officials said. The introduced budget reflects a $21.1 million decrease in revenue items from 2008 levels, according to Freeholder Deputy Director Christopher D. Rafano, the chairman of the Administration and Finance Committee.
“We have made significant cuts to the expenses we control to bring in a budget that falls under state cap limits. We have reduced salaries and wages by freezing all vacant positions, eliminating positions through attrition, reducing overtime and freezing 2009 salaries for all employees, union and nonunion. Looking to the future, under Freeholder Director [Stephen J. “Pete”] Dalina’s leadership, the county has begun a staff attrition plan to reduce the workforce and cost of government over the next three years. We also have streamlined all costs associated with computer purchases and maintenance and will optimize and reduce the county fleet of vehicles,” Rafano said.
To date, 10 employee positions have been cut, but there is no finalized number yet on workforce reduction as county Administrator John Pulomena said it will continue to be done mainly through attrition.
Since unveiling a budget plan in January, the Board of Chosen Freeholders and Middlesex County department heads have aggressively cut operating expenses and salaries and wages to ensure taxpayers receive quality programs and services at prices they can afford, Dalina said.
“We know that cutting expenses alone is not enough to introduce a responsible budget. We are looking for new ways to bring revenue to the county. Each freeholder has taken the lead on revenue generating initiatives within their departments,” Dalina said.
County Information Technology Director Khalid Anjum is pursuing a program to build cell towers on county-owned land and opportunities to lease additional space to private and public entities. The project is expected to produce an annual savings of $528,000 in telecommunications operating expenses and to generate at least $500,000 in revenue annually from space rental.
Under Freeholder Carol Barrett, the county will develop a long-term strategy for the planning and utilization of county-owned and -leased properties.
By working with the Engineering and Planning Department to define the county’s infrastructure needs, Federal Stimulus Package funds will not only put people back to work, but bring efficiency to operations, Rafano said.
Under Freeholder Jim Polos’ leadership, the county is conducting energy audits of county buildings and has implemented energy savings education of staff. The county cur rently is conducting an energy audit of the Apple Orchard Lane buildings, and is also pursuing facilities that could produce alternative forms of energy that can be used to power county facilities. Any additional energy generated could then be sold to utility companies.
Also, Polos is exploring advertising and naming rights programs at various county recreational facilities.
Freeholder Ronald Rios is developing a cost-effective strategy to address the growing needs of the county’s aging population and their overall health and well-being. One element of this is the construction of a state-ofthe art, long-term care facility in Old Bridge, which will incorporate environmentally friendly features, making it Leadership and Energy Environmental Design (LEED) certified.
The county also is committed to enhancing health care services available to our residents.
In addition, Rios is working with Middlesex County College and the Vocational-Technical Schools to promote the use of alternative energy sources to reduce operating expenses at these institutions.
Freeholder Mildred Scott is continuing to actively pursue Shared Services agreements with other counties for Medical Examiner, juvenile detention and other public safety related services and activities. Also under her direction, the county has taken a leading role in the development of a statewide, searchable law enforcement database that enables county and municipal officers to access information to support investigations efficiently.
Freeholder Blanquita Valenti is spearheading an effort to bring Shared Services practices to the social service agencies that are contracted by the county to assist residents.
“The more we come together as a team and work toward a common goal, the stronger we are as a government, the stronger we are as a county and the stronger we are for our citizens,” Rafano said.
The budget will be presented for a public hearing April 13.