FREEHOLD, NJ – Earlier this year, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved the 2016 county budget $18.2 million lower than the previous year. But those savings could be reduced by an estimated $1 million to implement the new statewide Criminal Justice Reform set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2017.

“We are committed to effectively implementing and administering the new law as good public policy, but there are going to be substantial costs associated with implementing the reforms, and those additional costs will impact the delivery of other critical services and ultimately the taxpayers,” said Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone.

A conservative estimate puts the additional costs at no less than $700,000, but there are many potential unknown factors about implementing the new reforms that will only become clear once staffing requirements to meet the need are revealed following implementation.

“The state’s efforts to streamline services are laudable, but county governments do not have the financial resources to provide for additional salaries, wages, and benefits, while also assuming additional operations and maintenance expenses, and providing court security enhancements and other capital expenses all required by Criminal Justice Reform,” said Monmouth County Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso.

The Freeholders unanimously passed a Resolution urging Gov. Chris Christie and the State Legislature to dedicate a funding mechanism for county governing bodies to offset the costs associated with implementing and administering Criminal Justice Reform. The Resolution urges the passage of Assembly Bill A-3491, sponsored by Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly, of the 35^th Legislative District, to establish the “County Government Criminal Justice Reform Administration Fund.”

The Assembly Bill would increase fees and assessments levied on defendants in Superior Court or municipal courts. The fees would be paid into a dedicated fund set aside to specifically offset the costs of implementing the new Criminal Justice Reform.

“The Freeholders worked diligently to find the $18.2 million savings we passed along to county taxpayers. A continuous source of funding is necessary to assist us in executing the Criminal Justice Reform plan, and that funding source needs to come from the State,” said Monmouth County Freeholder Gary J. Rich, Sr., who oversees the County’s Department of Finance.

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