For Immediate Release:
April 9, 2021

County Commissioners respond to story printed in the Asbury Park Press

FREEHOLD, NJ –The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners addressed the Asbury Park Press article, “'It's deception': Monmouth County commissioners secretly gave themselves raises” during the County Commissioner Workshop Meeting on April 8, which was livestreamed.

“It is curious that this article, which does not tell the entire story, comes at a time when the County Commissioner Board admonished the Asbury Park Press for a horribly offensive photo caption that was published for 14 hours before being taken down,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “Due to this offensive photo caption, all County offices, departments, commissions and authorities were directed to continue to comply with all laws regarding publication by utilizing the Star Ledger as the newspaper for general circulation until further notice.”

Commissioner Director Arnone explained that Freeholders (now known as Commissioners) made a salary of $30,000 and were offered health care benefits in 2008, although most did not take the benefits. Due to the Great Recession, the Freeholder Board decided that they would cut their salaries to $27,000. In 2019, the Board of Commissioners moved the salary back to $30,000 which is in line with other counties in the State and removed the option for health care for members of the Board.

“Our Board works incredibly hard for the residents we serve. The information that was neglected in this article is irresponsible and creates an image that does not represent the Board of Commissioners who are all true public servants. We are not in this for the money,” said Commissioner Director Arnone.

“It is frustrating that this story was published but stories about many of the good things this Board has done are not,” continued Commissioner Director Arnone. “There haven’t been any stories about the fact that the County’s Budget is $40 million less than it was in 2010, or stories about the $17.3 million taxpayer dollars that privatizing the Monmouth County Reclamation Center will save. Instead, there were stories about people losing their jobs—when, in actuality, not one employee lost their job. Employees were either placed in new positions or retired, with some even receiving promotions and raises. But, unfortunately, there were no stories about this.”

The meetings of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners are livestreamed on the Monmouth County Government’s Facebook and YouTube Channel. The meetings are posted in their entirety at the conclusion of the meeting are available for viewing.

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