A last minute attempt to trim $2 million in salaries for unfilled positions from the county’s $329 million budget was unfruitful at the Hudson County Freeholders meeting on June 14, but the Freeholders did cut $500,000 in other areas.
By an 8-1 vote, the freeholders passed the amended budget, which will reduce taxes for most residents in Hudson County.
Freeholder Bill O’Dea, who proposed the larger cut, voted against the budget, claiming the $500,000 cut was not enough. This counter proposal came from various “other expenses” line items in the budget and not from the salaries from unfilled positions in county government, areas O’Dea had asked to cut.
O’Dea described his own cuts as the painless elimination of what he referred to as budgetary fat.
O’Dea’s amendment to the budget would have postponed the filling of some vacant positions and eliminate certain job titles until next year. This would force departments – such as the county’s law department – to cut some of their reliance on outside attorneys and consultants.
“I went line item by line time and reduced those line items that were over budgeted,” he said. “The cuts I have recommended will result in a two to three-month delay in filling most vacancies and new positions.”
Even without the cuts, the 2001 budget – if passed as presented – would see a reduction of about 51 cents per $1,000 of assessed value on a home, or about of $82 on a home assessed at $160,000. The $500,000 cut made by the Freeholders brings the reduction to about 52 cents per $1,000.
In trying to sell the larger $2 million cut, O’Dea said a study of the budget showed as much as $5 million in unfilled positions. O’Dea said he deliberately avoided making cuts in areas where the county had budgeted salaries in anticipation of salary refunds from other sources, such as in the Health and Human Services and Welfare departments.
O’Dea’s amendment failed because he did not get a second, even though he said he believed other freeholders had supported his position.
Freeholder Sal Vega, however, said by putting aside money every year, the county avoids large rises in taxes when something goes wrong and keeps the county from needing to resort to more drastic budgeting measures later.
“We have been blessed with increasing ratables,” he said. “We need to take advantage of these while we can. We shouldn’t look at this as a rainy day fund, but something set aside for a rainy season. We’re looking out for next year and the year after that.”
O’Dea said he was disturbed by the freeholders’ lack of willingness to cut the budget presented by the county administration. He said the board should not act as a rubber stamp, and he predicted that while taxpayers in some parts of the county would indeed receive a tax decrease, taxpayers in sections of Jersey City could see as much as an eight percent increase in their taxes. The county’s budget impact on various towns depends on property values in each community. Last year, for instance, the county budget predicted a zero increase, although residents in Secaucus actually paid slightly more.
County Administrator Abe Antun, during the freeholder caucus meeting on June 12, had said the unspent wages also act as a buffer for handling contract settlements that are paid retroactively.
O’Dea, however, said by keeping the salaries funded, the county expands its spending cap. The state allows the budget to grow by a certain percentage every year.
“If we cut too deeply this year, we will not be able to spend as much next year,” O’Dea admitted. “But we can also apply for a waiver if we need to spend more next year.”
Other actions taken
The Freeholders also approved a variety of other resolutions at its June 14 meeting including:
• An agreement that establishes future jurisdiction of Route 1 & 9 and Paterson Plank Road overpass in North Bergen and Secaucus, as to which governmental body would maintain which section of the roads.
• Seeking a $11,930 grant from the Department of Community Affairs to fund trips and other recreational activities for about 40 disabled residents. The freeholders will also seek funding to transport disabled senior citizens for dialysis treatments.
• Funding of $10,000 that would support an artist’s showcase at the Park Theater in Union City. Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons asked that county’s participation in the program is acknowledged in the project’s posters or advertising. The freeholders also gave $10,00 to support the Hudson County Youth Football League.
• Payment for professional services to Dr. Steven Simring for services supplied to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s office.