On Tuesday, January 28, 2014, Monmouth County Clerk M. Claire French was sworn-in as the 73rd President of the New Jersey Association of Counties. The ceremony took place in the Senate Chambers of the New Jersey State House. The flag salute was led by Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden while the invocation was performed by Hudson County Surrogate Donald W. De Leo.
Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno administered the oath of office to NJAC President M. Claire French. “Claire French is a friend and a mentor,” said Guadagno. “Claire has long been a leader in Monmouth County – she has served as the mayor of Wall, led the Monmouth County Improvement Authority, is in her fourth term as Monmouth County Clerk and she now will lead this great statewide organization.”
Upon being sworn in, President French thanked NJAC’s Board of Directors and noted the remarkable leadership of her predecessor, Hudson County Freeholder Jeffrey Dublin. “Jeff gave so generously of his time and talent this past year. It was a year of many accomplishments, and we are all grateful to Jeff for his leadership and friendship.”
“Our team of officers for 2014 is an exceptional group of leaders. Working with First Vice President and Mercer County Freeholder Ann Cannon, has been and will continue to be a great pleasure. Ed Trawinski, our Second Vice President and Bergen County Administrator, will add great knowledge and experience to our team. Heather Simmons, Secretary-Treasurer and Gloucester County Freeholder, adds considerable skills as well. Jeff Dublin will continue to serve as our Immediate Past President,” said French. “I am looking forward to a year of accomplishment and progress with them as the 2014 NJAC Executive Committee.”
President French reminded members of the audience the achievements NJAC has made and its commitment to represent the best interests of New Jersey’s twenty-one counties.
In 2013, counties were faced with a new challenge in the election process. A new precedent was created when a special General Election was held to elect a United States Senator to complete the term of the late Senator Frank Lautenberg. This meant an additional expense for the counties, as well as fast tracking work of the election offices to print and process ballots. The counties had to find funds to pay for both the special Primary election and the special General Election up front. Both the special General Election and regular General Election were held within a month apart. Fortunately, counties received relief with the up front costs by year end when the State reimbursed the counties for all the expenses of both the Special Primary and General Elections.
NJAC closely monitored The Affordable Care Act and its implications to county government. NJAC hosted a Summit on The Affordable Care Act allowing counties the opportunity to hear the various viewpoints and discussion of federal, State, and local government agencies chartered with the responsibility to implement the Act in New Jersey.
Both houses passed and sent to the Governor a bill authorizing Internet Wagering in Atlantic City Casinos under certain circumstances. NJAC supported this important and timely initiative in making New Jersey the first State in the nation to authorize Internet Gaming. The additional revenue to the Casino Revenue Fund will provide for much needed county-based programs and initiatives for the benefit of the aged and disabled citizens of our counties.
“On the important issue of Interest Arbitration, we were very encouraged to hear Governor Christie, during his inaugural speech, state that he supports permanently linking the 2.0% cap on interest arbitration awards to the 2.0% property tax levy,” said French. “The cap is set to expire in April – that means counties will be forced to reduce or even eliminate crucial services if the cap is not extended. In 2014, we also look forward to discussing possible long-term solutions to further mitigate the reliance on the collection of local property taxes.”
Another vitally important issue to NJAC is the Transportation Trust Fund formula that was changed last year. This issue is critically important to New Jersey’s 12 urban counties. NJAC’s concern is that the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s substantial cuts to the Commissioner’s Discretionary Funding and changes to the Local Aid Formula will cause county governments throughout the State to scale back and even eliminate vital road and bridge projects. Another concern is that each county will now have three years to award the contracts or lose the funding. The permitting process is what has taken so much of the timeline in the past, and NJAC recommends a regulatory or legislative remedy that would prohibit the three year spend down period from beginning until the relevant State Departments or Commissions approve all permits accordingly. NJAC looks forward to working with the State in 2014 on these issues vital to the counties.
NJAC President French ended her remarks by reminding the audience that the county scene is changing in so many ways but the collaboration of the talents of county leaders as members of NJAC is the vehicle that speaks with one voice on behalf of all twenty-one counties.