{"id":7013,"date":"2024-01-17T18:21:58","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T23:21:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localtalkweekly.com\/?p=7013"},"modified":"2024-01-19T15:16:45","modified_gmt":"2024-01-19T20:16:45","slug":"county-executive-divincenzo-presents-budget-proposal-for-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/localtalkweekly.com\/index.php\/2024\/01\/17\/county-executive-divincenzo-presents-budget-proposal-for-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"County Executive DiVincenzo Presents Budget Proposal For 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Budget is presented before Statutory January 15th Deadline for the 21st Consecutive Year<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo By Glen Freison<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEWARK<\/strong> – On Friday, January 12th, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. presented a balanced and responsible 2024 budget of $858.7 million that includes a 1.75 percent property increase and addresses the challenges due to the ongoing national economic conditions and rising costs due to inflation. DiVincenzo has limited tax increases to an average of just 0.85 percent over the last five years and layoffs have been avoided since 2004. The County Executive has presented the County Budget before the State\u2019s statutory deadline of January 15th for 21 consecutive years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur 2024 budget that we are presenting today increases Essex County property taxes by just 1.75 percent, which is significantly lower than the state cap of 2.0 percent. This recognizes the financial hardships our residents have faced through the Coronavirus pandemic as well as rising costs we all are experiencing because of inflation,\u201d DiVincenzo said. \u201cDeveloping our annual budget is a serious matter and creates the financial plan that the county will follow for the upcoming year. Presenting it by January 15th enables us to identify the complex challenges facing government and address them early. It also gives our municipal partners and constituents a clear snapshot of what to expect from the county,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The County Executive pointed out that his administration monitors the budget throughout the year and started preparing the 2024 budget in July 2023. Getting an early start enabled Department and Division Directors, Constitutional Officers and County agencies to identify and address issues, investigate ways to reduce expenses and generate new revenue, and have a plan in place by the statutory January 15th deadline. \u201cThis rigorous planning and constant vigilance have helped us to respond proactively when we are faced with challenges brought on by the national economy, unexpected events or new laws,\u201d DiVincenzo said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commissioner President Carlos Pomares described the presented budget as \u201cresponsible\u201d and \u201csound.\u201d \u201cWe all have a very challenging job, but the budget is the most important. It is the backbone to everything we do and is the reason why Essex County has been so successful,\u201d added Pomares, who was joined by Vice President Tyshammie Cooper and Commissioners Brendan Gill, Len Luciano, Wayne Richardson and Patricia Sebold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This constant attention to detail in preparing the budget has enabled Essex County to do the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n