Proposed Morris County $329M budget has zero tax hike

The Morris County freeholders expect to introduce on Wednesday a 2015 county budget of $329 million that would involve no tax increase but would fund nine more human services positions that at least one freeholder opposes.

For the third consecutive year, the proposed budget calls for a zero increase in the total tax effort, or amount to be raised by taxes, even though the overall 2015 budget is about $12 million higher than the 2014 budget. The tax levy would be $217,899,755 -- to the dollar identical to last year's levy and slightly lower than the 2013 tax effort.

The budget is expected to be introduced at the freeholder's regular meeting on Wednesday and tentatively is slated for public comment and possible adoption on April 8.

The freeholder board budget subcommittee -- comprised of Director Kathy DeFillippo, Thomas Mastrangelo and Douglas Cabana -- recapped the 2015 spending plan at the board's public, audio-recorded work session on Feb. 25. Freeholder John Krickus was incensed at that meeting by the possible inclusion of nine new employees for the county Office of Temporary Assistance. Overall, Morris County currently employs about 1,831 workers.

Krickus was told at the meeting that the Office of Temporary Assistance, which among its duties assists people with temporary welfare aid, applications for Food Stamps, Medicaid, and nursing home admissions, has seen a 48 percent increase in its caseload and urgently needs more workers to process applications so clients aren't waiting months for services.

The OTA is a division within the county's Department of Human Services and handles requests for temporary assistance that used to fall to municipalities.

"Obamacare," Krickus said in response to the explanation on why more workers are needed. "I'm really not into Morris County taxpayers subsidizing Obamacare. If people have to wait a little longer to get their Medicaid then that's fine. That's not a priority."

Cabana interjected: "But John, some of these back-ups are six months or more for these people."

Krickus, a certified public accountant who works as a marketing manager for an information and analytics firm in Parsippany, replied: "For us to make these nine positions a priority, I just can't support that."

DeFillippo later told the Daily Record that the budget recognizes increases in service demands for "our county's most vulnerable and at-risk residents," including the ill and disabled.

"These are our residents, who are eligible for benefits, and we're to ask them to wait on line? They deserve the same service that someone who goes to the county clerk's office for a passport would expect," DeFillippo said.

The proposed budget also would include funding for five additional Morris County sheriff's officers. The number, freeholders said, was a compromise with Sheriff Edward Rochford, who last year sued the county to hire nine more officers but then withdrew the complaint. Freeholders, including Cabana and Mastrangelo, said the officers are necessary for the Sheriff's Office to implement increased security demands at the courthouse in Morristown.

Security enhancements are under way at the county administration building and courthouse, which are linked by an indoor, so-called "bridge" above Court Street. The enhancements include more magnotometers to screen visitors and employees.

In addition to new hires for the sheriff and OTA, the budget includes the full-time hiring of 17 nurses for Morris View Healthcare Center, the county nursing home. The nurses already work for Morris View on a per diem basis but Internal Revenue Service rules mandate the hiring, the freeholders said.

The board also held a special public session on March 2 to receive input on the budget. Krickus and Freeholders David Scapicchio and William "Hank" Lyon did not attend and DeFillippo, the board director, commented to the public that all freeholders had agreed to the 5 p.m. session but three chose not to appear. Krickus and Scapicchio later told the Daily Record they believed the meeting involved just the budget subcommittee members. Lyon could not be reached for comment on his absence.

Health and Human Services accounts for the largest portion of the budget, 23.72 percent. The Public Safety slice, which includes the operating budgets for the sheriff's office, prosecutor's office, and Park Police, accounts for 15.44 percent.

At the March 2 public session, Montville resident Scott Russell suggested the freeholders examine privatizing additional services to save money. Hanover resident Barbara Eames, a past unsuccessful freeholder candidate, commented that a $12 million increase in the total spending plan means government is still expanding, despite a zero county tax increase projected for this year.

"I'd argue the size of government is still growing," Eames said.

County Administrator John Bonanni told the March 2 audience that the freeholders consistently look for cost-savings; in 2008 lifetime medical benefits for new employees was eliminated and the freeholders now are exploring self-insurance options, he said.

Freeholder John Cesaro said he expects to vote in favor of the budget, along with DeFillippo, Cabana and Mastrangelo. Scapicchio and Krickus have not directly stated whether they will vote in favor of it, and the plan can still be modified.

"We've achieved the zero tax increase. We've been advised by our professionals and auditor that we're basically at the bone in terms of any more cuts," Cesaro said.

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@njpressmedia.com.