MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners tonight introduced their 2024 Budget with no increase in the tax rate for a fifth consecutive year, due to another year of growing ratables and prudent fiscal management to overcome rising costs.

“Despite state mandates driving up costs and hikes in expenses that are out of our control, such as health care costs, Morris County is again introducing a thoughtful, fiscally responsible budget. It addresses our obligation as County Commissioners to provide the services our residents require and deserve. It makes the investments necessary to keep Morris County the premier county in New Jersey, and yet it still enables us to keep the tax rate flat,” said Commissioner Deborah Smith, Chair of the Commissioners’ Budget Committee.

The proposed $365.3 million spending plan was presented to the full board by the Budget Committee, including Commissioners Doug Cabana and John Krickus. The plan continues to prioritize investments in public safety, infrastructure, education, and economic development and expands services to veterans.

Highlights in the budget include:

• A combined $77.8 million towards public safety.
• More than $24 million to support education, including career training at the County College of Morris and the Morris County Vocational School District.
• A record $900,000 was invested in Economic Development and Tourism, with $100,000 for planning Morris County’s celebration of the American Revolution.
• $9 million to support the Morris County Park Commission, stewards of the largest county park system in New Jersey (20,455 acres of parkland)
• Adding $300,000 to homeless services provided by the Office of Temporary Assistance, with a total of $38.1 million for Human Services and Health Services.

Click here to download the budget presentation.

“Public safety remains a paramount interest.  The 2024 Budget provides strong funding to our Sheriff’s Department, his Patrol Division, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and our Department of Law & Public Safety,” said Commissioner Krickus, noting public safety spending is being increased by more than $3 million.

Prudent fiscal management and an 8.8 percent increase in ratables also helped Morris County to address growing expenses forced by mounting state mandates on operations at the Morris County Clerk’s Office and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

“Our 2024 Budget also continues the Preservation Trust Fund investments that bolster the quality of life here and attract the people and businesses making Morris County the premier place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Commissioner Krickus. “To date, we have invested $169 million in farmland preservation, $295 million in open space preservation, $50 million into historic preservation, $100 million into flood mitigation, and $5 million in trail design and construction.”

The budget also focuses on the needs of veterans and families facing homelessness.

“We continue to expand our commitment to our veterans by funding a fourth Veterans Service Officer and a seasonal intern. We also are expanding our services to the growing homeless population,” said Commissioner Doug Cabana.

“We certainly are grateful to have nonprofit partners helping us to address the needs of our neighbors who find themselves seeking shelter. But it should be understood by everyone that the Morris County’s Human Services Department and its Office of Temporary Assistance serve the majority of our homeless population — and the most troubled individuals found in that population,” added Commissioner Cabana.

The 2024 Budget doubles to $300,000 a line item in emergency assistance funding to shelter and support people experiencing homelessness. The budget also allocates another $150,000 toward funding allocated to prevent people from becoming homeless.

The introduced 2024 Budget also includes the 2024 Capital Spending Plan initially presented in December, putting nearly $35 million toward many projects, among them road resurfacing, improving intersections replacing bridges in the county, and maintaining county facilities.

The Morris County Commissioners will consider the adoption of the 2024 Budget at their Wednesday, April 10, 2024, public meeting.

MORRIS COUNTY — On Wednesday, March 13, The Mansion at Mountain Lakes hosted “Sheriff Gannon’s Annual Saint Patrick’s & Saint Joseph’s Day Celebration” an unforgettable gathering, drawing attendees from across Morris and neighboring counties, as well as many State, County, and local dignitaries.

The venue buzzed with excitement as guests poured in, immersing themselves in the lively and joyous atmosphere. Step dancers energized the crowd, while the Morris County Pipes and Drums captivated with their powerful melodies. Live music echoed throughout the event, keeping spirits high.

The culinary team at The Mansion impressed with a delectable spread of both Irish and Italian delicacies, featuring classics like corned beef & cabbage, fish & chips, and sausage with peppers, onions, and meatballs. Dessert was a highlight, with Zeppole di San Giuseppe (St. Joseph’s Day Traditional Italian Pastries) stealing the show.

Congratulations to Sheriff Gannon for orchestrating yet another remarkable event. It’s no wonder why this celebration remains one of the most anticipated occasions in Morris County.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation has announced that the 2024 Grant application for funding of open space projects under the Morris County Preservation Trust is now available on the Open Space Preservation website.

“Morris County’s scenic charm and strong economy thrive on preserving open space alongside a bustling business landscape. 2024 marks the 30^th anniversary of the program that has preserved nearly 18,000 acres with more than $297 million in grants approved by the commissioners,” said Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, liaison to the Office of Planning and Preservation.

“Public infrastructure, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, premier parks, extensive hiking trails — these are all essential investments that make our county such a desirable place to live, work and play. Yet, we continue to have one of the lowest county tax rates statewide,” he continued.

The deadline for submitting open space applications and appraisals for 2024 funding is Friday, June 14, 2024.

The Open Space Trust Fund, which is part of the county’s Preservation Trust Fund, has helped to preserve 17,873 acres throughout the county since 1994, using $297,938,868 generated by a preservation tax Morris County voters approved in November 1992. The amount preserved is larger than the entire township of Parsippany Troy-Hills.

In addition to open space projects, the county’s Preservation Trust Fund also helps finance farmland and historic preservation, county parkland acquisition, recreational trail projects, and the purchase of residential properties prone to flooding. 

The review process for grant applications is handled by the Open Space Trust Fund Committee, which visits the proposed sites and makes final recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners by fall.

“Any of Morris County’s 39 municipalities and qualified charitable conservancies are eligible to apply for grant funding,” said Barbara Murray, Morris County Open Space Program Coordinator. 

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Office of Planning and Preservation at (973) 829-8120.