Hunterdon County Commissioners approve FY25 budget, cut tax rate to lowest level in 11 years
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ — At the May 6 board meeting, the Hunterdon County Commissioners adopted the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which reduces the county tax rate to its lowest level in 11 years while maintaining the county’s debt-free status for the 11th consecutive year.
Commissioner Director John E. Lanza stated, “The FY25 budget is once again a demonstration of this Board’s ongoing commitment to fiscal discipline and putting our taxpayers first — it is something in which we can all take pride. Enacting policies that help to keep Hunterdon County the safest, healthiest, and best county in which to live, not only in New Jersey but in the nation, is of the utmost importance to each of us on this Board. This budget is a policy document that helps achieve that objective.”
The adopted budget totals $122,512,539 and reflects the Commissioners’ continued effort to deliver essential county services with efficiency and innovation. The county tax rate will drop from .309 to .306 per $100 of assessed property value.
Deputy Director and budget co-liaison Shaun C. Van Doren noted, “This year’s budget includes a record investment in capital improvements and leverages New Jersey Department of Transportation grants to make significant investments in resurfacing roadways and enhancing county bridges and culverts. Additionally, it continues to fund public health and safety through a combination of state grants and county matching dollars for expanded clinical services for seniors, veterans, and the underinsured.”
The FY25 budget also includes funding for two key Commissioner Board priorities:
- A $1 million grant fund to support the refurbishment of municipal parks.
- A $500,000 grant program to support municipal law enforcement agencies.
Commissioner Zach Rich, also a budget co-liaison, emphasized the budget’s historic investment in career and technical education, saying, “This year’s budget not only cuts the county tax rate to the lowest level in 11 years, but also makes a record investment in career and technical education, which is vital to keeping Hunterdon County economically competitive.” He also noted that the budget includes extra funding to eliminate a proposed 3.5% tuition increase for regional high schools sending students to Hunterdon County Polytech programs.
In closing, Commissioner Director Lanza thanked Deputy Director Van Doren and Commissioner Rich for their leadership and also acknowledged the work of CFO Andrew Bernath, Deputy CFO Mike Franchini, County Administrator Brad Myhre, Deputy Administrator Shana Taylor, County Counsel Katrina Doyle, and HR Director Meagan O’Reilly in preparing the FY25 budget.
