Eliminate County Government
Eliminate County
Government
How many departments/divisions are in Bergen County government?
a. 23
b. 48
c. 6
4
d. 96
0% 0%0%0%
a. 23a. 23
b. 48b. 48
c. 64c. 64
d. 96d. 96
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How many people are How many people are employed by Bergen employed by Bergen
County?County?
a.500
b.1200
c.2200
d.3000
0% 0%0%0%
a.a. 500500
b.b. 12001200
c.c. 22002200
d.d. 30003000
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How many Freeholders How many Freeholders are in Bergen County?are in Bergen County?
10
a.5 b.7 c.
12 d.22
0% 0%0%0%
a.a. 55
b.b. 77
c.c. 1212
d.d. 2222
What is the annual debt What is the annual debt service of Bergen service of Bergen
County?County?
a.$2,000,000 b.$23,000,000 c.$58,000,000 d.$250,000,000
0% 0%0%0%
a.a. $2,000,000$2,000,000
b.b. $23,000,000$23,000,000
c.c. $58,000,000$58,000,000
d.d. $250,000,000$250,000,000
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Eliminate County Government
Framework Background Facts/Figures Public Opinion How Would We Actually Eliminate
County Government
Eliminate County Government
What County Government looks
like?
Eliminate County Government
Eliminate County Government
Background
Eliminate County Government
Figures 10% of our property tax dollars go to
the County $500,000,000 budget $58,000,000 debt service $147,000,000 salaries and wages $238,000,000 “other expenses” 2200 work for Bergen County
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Eliminate County Government
Where do Your Taxes Go?
Eliminate County Government
Budget Allocation $500,000,000 budget $58,000,000 debt service $147,000,000 salaries and wages $238,000,000 “other expenses”
$500,000,000 budget $58,000,000 debt service $147,000,000 salaries and wages $238,000,000 “other expenses”
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Eliminate County Government
Facts Most states have strong local or county
government
Local property taxes paid to the County have NO direct impact on property values
Sharing services can save money and increase efficiencies
Eliminate County Government
Nearly one in four Bergen County employees makes $100k+ per year
County tax levy has increased by 51% since 2003 (larger % increase than schools, municipalities, state during the same timeframe)
Many of the highest paid non-law enforcement positions are political appointees (members of the Political Party Organizations)
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Eliminate County Government
Public Opinion
Under-utilized & non-responsive Removed or invisible Unaccountable Duplicative services
Eliminate County Government
Precedent Connecticut Massachusetts Rhode Island Westchester County, New York
(proposed)
²²
³³
Why Eliminate County Government?
Remove a layer of government Save money without loss of services Decrease duplication of services Enhance private/public partnerships
How to Eliminate County
Government
RequirementsRequirements1.1. Amendment to the state constitutionAmendment to the state constitution
2.2. Address negotiated labor contractsAddress negotiated labor contracts
3.3. Engaged citizens - grass roots Engaged citizens - grass roots supportsupport
4.4. Visionary LeadersVisionary Leaders
Leadership TraitsLeadership Traits1.1. Bold & courageous leadersBold & courageous leaders
2.2. A leader with:A leader with:
Brains, guts, passion & purposeBrains, guts, passion & purpose
Someone with a proven track Someone with a proven track record for instituting change!record for instituting change!
Eliminate County Government
Voters of Bergen County
Clerk to Board
Counsel to Board
County Administrator
County Clerk
Surrogate
Public Safety
County Sheriff
Law Health Services
Human Services
Planning & Economic
Development
Parks
Administration& Finance
Public Works
State Appointments
Board of Chosen Freeholders County Executive
Eliminate County Government
New Model for Local New Model for Local GovernmentGovernmentEliminated To State To Towns
Board of Chosen Freeholders
Law Planning
County Exec Human Services Parks
Board Clerk Health Services
Counsel to Board Sheriff & County Police
County Administrator
County Clerk
Admin & Finance County Surrogate
Public Works
Eliminate County Government
Example: Eliminate County Executive, Freeholders & County Clerk
Eliminate County Government
Savings =
$$ 8855
Eliminate County Government
Example: Public Works
Eliminate County Government
$$Savings =Savings =
million
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Eliminate County Government
Savings = 26 million
5252 5252
52 million52 million
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Eliminate County Government
ImpactImpact Savings of approximately $130
million from reallocating the work
More accountable, visible, responsive government
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Eliminate County Government
ImpactImpact Natural evolution toward shared
services
More involved citizens
Greater return on our tax dollars
Eliminate County Government
Thank you
Many thanks to: Many thanks to: Lynn Algrant Ben Brody Todd Caliguire Ronald Calissi Hon.Governor Richard
Codey William Corcoran Bobbie Anne Flower
Cox Timothy Dacey
Paul Feiner Dr. Ken Gabbert Brian Hague Deborah Herr Sophie Heymann Richard Loveless Gloria Martini Bob Meyerson
Many Thanks To:Many Thanks To: Leo McGuire Amanda Missey Maureen Moakley Ridgefield Park
Board of Commissioners
Ridgefield Park Village Clerk, Police Captain, DPW Superintendent, Village Attorney
Christopher Rutishauser Dr. G. Jeremiah Ryan William “Pat” Schuber Mike Seedon Sam Spina James Troisi
References1. McNerney, D. (2010, March 03). State of the County address
2010. Retrieved from http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/bcresources/countyreport.html
2. County Government in Connecticut:1. Its History and Demise by Rosaline Levinson2. Connecticut Legislative Librarian, Linda Moral
3. Professor Maryann Baraski, University of Massachusetts4. Rethinking Westchester Government, Initials. (n.d.). States
without County government. Retrieved from http://www.rethinkingwestchestergov.com/
5. The slides that reference dollars currently being spent or the “estimated savings” were taken from the Bergen County website (http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/) or provided by Brian Hague at the Bergen County Executive’s office.