BELVIDERE, N.J. – At its bimonthly meeting Wednesday evening, the Warren County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to pass a resolution to allow the county to exceed its tax levy limit.
The $79.5 million tax levy, which was approved after a brief public hearing Wednesday, comes with the county's $108.5 million 2024 budget and funds a variety of services. Among these are construction at the Catherine Dickson Hoffman Library in Blairstown ($4.2 million) and funding for new 911 radio systems for county first responders ($3.3 million).
According to Commissioner Director James R. Kern III, the levy also includes a decrease in Warren County's equalized tax rate from 56.7 cents to 54.6 cents. Kern said this decrease follows similar decreases over the last two years and indicates that the county is in a strong financial position.
"This 2024 budget not only addresses this year's issues, but sets us up for stability in the future," Kern said. "After years of fiscal responsibility, Warren County will be finally debt-free in 2025."
The board's deputy director, Jason Sarnoski, also expressed his support for the tax levy — which he said shows that the county is still able to provide the same level of services while cutting tax rates.
"We're providing the same amount of services and people are paying less taxes," Sarnoski said. "...That's just a great thing."
Other business
In other news, the board formally proclaimed April 2024 as National Child Abuse Awareness Month and National Volunteer Month in Warren County. The latter proclamation was passed by title only.
Speaking about child abuse issues, commissioner Lori Ciesla applauded organizations such as CASA SHaW, which cares for children impacted by abuse and neglect in Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties.
"What CASA does is really amazing because it helps these who are trying to navigate through the system, and it doesn’t matter what [kind of background] they come from," Ciesla said.
The Warren County Board of Commissioners will next meet on Wednesday, April 10.
