Hunterdon County Commissioner Director Kuhl delivers 2024 State of the County address
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Hunterdon County Commissioner Director Jeff Kuhl gave the annual State of the County address to attendees at the 2024 ELC Breakfast meeting, on important policy issues that are happening in Hunterdon County.
The event was hosted in conjunction with the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce (HCCC) and New Jersey Business & Industry Association.
CEO and President of the HCCC, Chris Phelan welcomed various local business owners, county staff and officials, including County Clerk, Mary Melfi.
Director Kuhl thanked the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce for their contribution over the last 107 years, in helping businesses ‘weather the storm’ and be successful and shared, “I can tell you that Chris Phelan and his staff do a great job for our business community.”
During the address, Kuhl highlighted the Commissioner Board’s ongoing commitment to a sound fiscal policy and long-term strategic planning for residents. Director Kuhl reflected on the Board cutting the 2024 county tax rate cut to the 2015 level, after freezing the rate for the past six years; and emphasized that Hunterdon County continues to be debt-free for the 10th year – the only county in the state of New Jersey that can boast that record.
“We continue to produce balanced budgets with real and reoccurring revenues versus one-shot budget gimmicks like we see annually in Trenton” Kuhl said.
The recent sale of the County Transfer Station for $3.7 million, is a transaction that will relieve the county of significant capital costs and gain a $3.7 million dollar payment which benefits taxpayers and puts capital in county’s coffers.
County staff continues to procure grants and pursue funding for public safety equipment, increased mental health services for youth, and expanded vision care for uninsured residents and veterans. $3.192 million in grant funds will also be used to help complete Phase 2 and 3 of the Emergency Training Center Complex, complete with a new administration building, modern training classroom, and backup 9-1-1 Center.
The Board is using grant funds for construction of the county’s first, full-time vocational high school, that will train the workforce of tomorrow in high-demand fields.
Expanding access to parks and recreational areas to those with limited mobility and disabilities began with the construction of the all-inclusive playground at Deer Path Park last summer and will continue with the construction of a second barrier-free, inclusive playground near the South County Fairgrounds.
“These achievements leading to the county’s exceptional status have resulted from work of all five members of the Board of Commissioners, our Constitutional Officers, and our dedicated County staff members,” Kuhl said.
