Cty. budget introduced

NEW BRUNSWICK - The Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders formally introduced a $397million budget proposal last week that reduces the county's equalized property tax rate for the 15th straight year.

The proposed budget includes a net tax levy of $281,223,000,which is the amount to be raised through taxes.

Freeholder Director David Crabiel said the budget is $1million less than the spending plan unveiled in January. The amount needed by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority to operate Roosevelt Care Center was $500,000 less than anticipated and the Middlesex County Vocational-Technical Schools needed $500,000 less to operate than originally anticipated.

The proposed 2008 spending plan reduces numerous appropriations to below 2007 levels and calls for a hiring freeze on nonessential county employees. The board also committed to eliminating at least 50 county positions through attrition over the next 12 months.

"Given the onerous property tax system of the state of New Jersey, absent an effective solution to the tax problem, it is becoming increasingly difficult for county government to hold property taxes to a reasonably acceptable level," said Crabiel, who is the chair of the county's Administration and Finance Committee. "Nevertheless, in our continuing efforts to accomplish that goal, the 2008 Middlesex County budget eliminates any frills and non-essential 'nice to have' items.Existing freezes on hiring and purchasing, implemented at the end of 2007, are beingmaintained in force to ensure that any job filled or item purchased is essential to the operation of the government."

Crabiel said the state and federal governments have added nearly $5.1 million to the cost of running county government in 2008 alone. These include an increase in employer pension contributions of $4,408,564 and an increase in workers' compensation costs of $637,327. Also, the county's Social Security contribution has been increased by $740,000.

At the same time, Crabiel said that state and federal funding is shrinking in such critical areas asMedicaid andmental health.He said the state is paying 18 percent of the total operating budget forMiddlesex County College, instead of the statutory 42 percent. Yet the director also mentioned that Middlesex County has had one of the best county tax records inNewJersey over the past 15 years, adding that the county government has reduced the tax levy seven times during that time.

"Happily, the 2008Middlesex County operating and capital budgets, notwithstanding the largemandated increases overwhich the board has no control, should result in the county maintaining both its high bond rating and the second lowest per-capita cost of county government inNewJersey's 21 counties," Crabiel said.

Apublic hearing and possible adoption of the budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, in the FreeholdersMeetingRoomin the CountyAdministration Building in New Brunswick.