eliminate county government how many departments/divisions are in bergen county government? a. 23 b....

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

10

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

10

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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Framework Background Facts/Figures Public Opinion How Would We Actually Eliminate

County Government


What County Government looks

like?


Background


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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Where do Your Taxes Go?


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”

55


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


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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Public Opinion

Under-utilized & non-responsive Removed or invisible Unaccountable Duplicative services


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!


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


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


Example: Eliminate County Executive, Freeholders & County Clerk


Savings =

$$ 8855


Example: Public Works


$$Savings =Savings =

million

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Savings = 26 million

5252 5252

52 million52 million

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ImpactImpact Savings of approximately $130

million from reallocating the work

More accountable, visible, responsive government

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ImpactImpact Natural evolution toward shared

services

More involved citizens

Greater return on our tax dollars


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.

eliminate county government how many departments/divisions are in bergen county government? a. 23 b....

Documents

county executive

bergen county government

bergen county employees

property tax dollars

state constitutionaddress

political appointees

layer of governmentsave

yearcounty tax levy