Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. presented his Eighth Annual State of the County Address to a packed house at the Essex County Hospital Center on Tuesday, February 15th. After a video collage that highlighted improvements made at the Correctional Facility, Hospital Center, Juvenile Detention Center, Turtle Back Zoo, Historic Essex County Courthouse and with the budget, the County Executive outlined the achievements of 2010 and noted that his administration will continue to serve the public.
"Our last eight years have been filled with achievement, fiscal responsibility and a commitment to our 22 towns. We listen and respond, we invest and act to prove the value of good government," DiVincenzo said. "But none of this matters. What matters is what we do next," he added.
The Executive touted the fact that despite the consistent and growing economic pressures of the recession, Essex County has remained strong and its finances stable.
"At a moment when the signs of the times are the words 'for sale' and 'foreclosure' on the front lawns of our neighbors' homes, our Essex County government has felt these challenges too. Investments and recurring revenues from the real estate market dropped, rainy day funds have been raided, pensions and health care costs rose and the need for services increased," DiVincenzo said. "Yet, in the midst of these struggles, during the worst economic era since the Great Depression, Essex County had not one furlough nor one layoff," he said.
Stabilizing the budget has been an ongoing battle that began with the elimination of unnecessary contracts, reduction of expenses and manpower during DiVincenzo's first year in office in 2003. It continued through the years with initiatives to refinance debt, require non-union staff - including himself - to pay up to 20 percent of their health insurance premium and forego raises in 2009 and 2010. Due to new legislation, employees also contributed by paying 1.5 percent of their salary toward health care costs. They also accepted a new contract that gave them just a 3 percent increase over the last three years. Health and pension costs, however, continued to skyrocket. This year, health benefits increased 12 percent to $71 million and pension costs increased 28 percent to $41 million.
To help offset these mandatory expenses, new sources of recurring revenue were cultivated. The Correctional Facility received $22 million to house federal prisoners and immigration detainees, the Hospital Center received $10 million by admitting patients from the State and Passaic and Middlesex Counties, the Juvenile Detention Facility received $5.2 million by accepting detainees from Passaic County, while revenue from County recreation facilities reached $9 million.
"This prudent fiscal planning, and aggressive development of recurring revenue, has put us in a better position than many of our municipalities and other counties," DiVincenzo said. "Our bond status has improved six times and our AA3 rating is the highest in a generation. We also have the third lowest average percentage tax increase of the 21 counties in New Jersey," he pointed out.
"As we continued to put our house in fiscal order, we remained committed to assisting the many families who are now, or soon will be, facing dire circumstances. It was a year when the people and programs of the Department of Citizen Services truly felt the impact of the economic downturn in our own communities," he said. The Division of Welfare saw its caseload increase to 123,000 and, with double-digit unemployment rates, the Department of Economic Development, Training and Employment helped over 12,000 residents.
The Executive also pointed out educational success at the County level. Last June, the Essex County Vocational Technical School District had a 100 percent graduation rate. Student scores in state-mandated tests also improved: 83.9 percent of the students demonstrated math proficiency compared with the 33 percent in 2003 and 94.8 percent exhibited language arts proficiency compared to the 67 percent in 2003. In addition, the Juvenile Detention Facility remains the only facility in the state to provide detainees with a full school day and access to college coursework.
Improvements and additions were made at the Essex County Government Complex in Newark. A bronze statue honoring Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., one of the longest serving and most influential Supreme Court Justices in our history, was commissioned with private funds. The LeRoy F. Smith, Jr. Public Safety Building welcomed new tenants, including the New Jersey Appellate Court, Congressman Donald M. Payne's office, the NJ Homeland Security
Office, units from the Prosecutor's and Sheriff's offices, the Essex Executive Superintendent of Schools, the Vocational Technical School Administration and the Utilities Authority. This initiative created $1.7 million in new revenue and private rental savings.
Revitalizing parks continues to be a priority. "With today's economy, our first class recreational facilities and open spaces are more important than ever, offering families and friends free or low cost entertainment and exercise opportunities," DiVincenzo said.
Turtle Back Zoo was recognized by New Jersey Monthly magazine as the best zoo in the state, welcomed over half million visitors for the first time and added the new Tropical Currents Aquarium and miniGOLF Safari. Tremendous improvements were made to modernize
recreation facilities and meeting spaces in Ivy Hill, Yanticaw, Independence, Weequahic, Branch Brook and Watsessing Parks.
"We have accomplished great things under very difficult circumstances and built a strong foundation. But we cannot rely on what we've done in the past. What matters is what we do next," DiVincenzo said. "Pension costs will continue to rise and insurance bills will increase. Conversations being held at the State level to deal with these issues should have no party affiliation or partisanship. They are necessary discussions that must produce decisions to secure our future," he said.
Infrastructure projects that will be pursued include stabilizing the waterway in Grover Cleveland Park, restoring the Prudential Lions and Music Court in Branch Brook Park, enhancing access to Becker Park and developing new synthetic athletic fields in Irvington and Independence Parks. Work will also begin to develop the 12.3-acre Riverfront Park in Newark, construct a new consolidated Vocational-Technical School on the site of the former United Hospital in Newark, develop a 90-acre park on the old Hospital Center site in Cedar Grove and create a Big Cat Exhibit, aerial obstacle course and boathouse restaurant at Turtle Back Zoo.
"Challenging times are ahead. A great team is in place and 22 diverse communities will be served," DiVincenzo said. "We have accomplished great things under very difficult circumstances and built a strong foundation. But we cannot rely on the work of the past. We must and we will continue Putting Essex County First," he added.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
