The Burlington County Commissioners adopted a fiscally-responsible 2025 County Budget that reflects the board’s commitment to affordability and delivering essential services amidst the current climate of economic upheaval and uncertainty.
The $271 million spending plan was unanimously approved by the Commissioners on Wednesday evening, along with the County’s Open Space and Farmland Preservation Tax. The budget reduces the total County spending by $41 million and is expected to maintain the County’s record for having the lowest average county tax in New Jersey, along with a credit score near the top of the rating scale.
The budget reserves $5 million in open space funds for a new round of Municipal Parks Development Grants, a program that helps towns acquire and preserve remaining open space and make improvements to local parks and recreation areas.
“Budgets are about values and choices. This spending plan reflects our Board’s priorities and commitment to preserving Burlington County’s health, safety and quality of life,” said Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “The 2025 budget delivers services essential to working families, seniors and vulnerable residents but continues our record of affordability during this chaotic economic climate.”
Burlington County had the lowest average County tax in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, according to property tax data released annually by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
Burlington County’s cost per resident for County operations is also projected to remain the lowest in the state at $406. The next closest is Essex County at $498, more than 20% higher than Burlington County.
“We are confident this budget will continue our streak of having the lowest average county tax and the lowest cost per resident. At the same time, the plan makes investments in our workforce, infrastructure and essential programs,” Hopson added. “It’s never easy and the task is even more challenging with the nonsense occurring in Washington and the uncertainty being created across the national and global economy.”
Supporting farmland preservation and local parks enhancements
The budget maintains the County’s farmland preservation and open space tax at 3.5 cents per $100 of value. The open space tax is expected to generate about $22.4 million to fund farmland and open space preservation, parks and trails improvements and the various parks art, history, nature, fitness and cultural programs that contribute to the county’s quality of life.
More than 63,000 acres of farmland is already preserved in Burlington County, ranking the county No. 1 in New Jersey and in the Top 10 nationally for acres preserved.
In the last year, Burlington County has prepared offers for 10 farms totaling more than 1,400 acres. The County has also targeted additional open space properties along the Rancocas Creek and Delaware River for preservation and taken initial steps to create miles of additional trails, including approximately 50 miles of new regional paths through Mount Laurel, Moorestown, Evesham, Maple Shade, Medford, Tabernacle, Southampton and Shamong.
A new round of municipal parks grants
The budget sets aside funding for a new round of Municipal Parks Development Grants to assist municipalities with creating or improving their parks. Funds can also be used to acquire open space or to cover the local share for preserving a farm.
All 40 municipalities are eligible to apply for grants up to $250,000 with no local match required. Funding for the grants comes from the voter-approved dedicated open space and farmland preservation tax.
“The last time we offered these grants was in 2020 when we awarded a record-high $5.2 million to 38 towns for projects ranging from new local trails and playground equipment to restrooms, landscaping and even boat ramps,” said Hopson. “The grants ensure all towns benefit from the county’s open space tax, and not just those in the farm belt or with substantial open space. It makes money available for land preservation and park enhancements without borrowing or raising local property taxes.”
Delivering essential services
The 2025 budget calls for a $202 million operating tax levy that complies with the New Jersey statutory cap and maintains the County workforce. Total salaries and wages increased $3.7 million, largely from contractual increases and other adjustments needed to attract and retain quality workers. The plan also budgets for a $3.1 million increase for worker health benefits, $3 million increase in debt service, $1 million increase in the County’s contribution for employee pensions, $1 million more for the County’s share of costs for residents cared at State psychiatric hospitals and $500,000 more for general liability and workers compensation insurance.
The spending plan continues to fund essential programs and services, including assistance for seniors and others struggling with housing or food insecurity. It maintains the County’s annual support for both the Burlington County Institute of Technology and the Burlington County Special Services School District, as well as its aid to Rowan College at Burlington County. The plan also provides the money needed to safely maintain the County’s more than 500 miles of County highways, plus 400 bridges and 700 culverts.
Responsible fiscal planning and management
The investments are possible because of sound fiscal planning. This year the County plans to use $13.5 million of its $32 million in fund balance from 2024 to support this year’s spending. County officials still anticipate ending 2025 with well above $20 million in fund balance and reserves.
“Responsibly managing our finances has been a hallmark of our administration and we continue to prioritize sound planning and cost controls,” said Hopson. “In an uncertain national and global economy, our board has once again delivered a County budget that prudently invests in services for Burlington County residents and delivers the most efficient county government in New Jersey.