Somerset County introduces 2024 budget. What does it mean for taxpayers?

Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
Updated 3 min read
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SOMERVILLE – The Somerset County Board of Commissioners has introduced a $270.8 million budget that reduces the property tax rate for county purposes by 3.9%.

The county property tax rate is .3004 per $1,000 of assessed home value. Though the tax rate is going down, the average county home valued at $550,000 – up $39,000 from 2023 – will see a $54.10 increase in the county’s portion of the total property tax bill. That does not include the municipal or school district property taxes.

Somerset County’s total assessed real property value has reached more than $78 billion, up 7% from last year and more than 25% since 2020.

The proposed $270.8 million budget is up 1.87% from 2023 and includes $226.4 million to be raised through property taxes.

The budget also preserves the county’s AAA bond rating and increases the surplus by 9% over 2023 levels.

“We have worked hard to keep our operating costs in line while making important long-term investments in our residents, infrastructure, and economy,” said Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson. “Examples are the first expansion of our Vocational-Technical High School campus in 17 years, new efforts to attract and retain employers, and the largest open space acquisition in two decades.”

More: Here's the best place to live in Somerset County

The primary costs driving increases in the budget are health insurance, debt service, and special costs associated with the 2024 Presidential Election.

State and federal mandates account for nearly 70% of the budget.

Many of the county’s major investments for 2024 – including the expansion at the Vo-Tech High School and projects at Raritan Valley Community College – are funded through American Rescue Plan funds, or other federal or state programs.

Somerset County is also receiving significant money through the National Opioid Settlement fund to support substance use programs.

The county will use money from its dedicated open space fund to preserve the largest tract of land in two decades, the former Hillsborough Golf Club on 402 acres off Wertsville Road in Hillsborough. The $6.2 million cost will be shared by the New Jersey’s Green Acres program, Hillsborough Township, and Somerset County.

More: These are the 15 best places to retire in New Jersey, an investment website says

The county budget will:

  • Maintain significant infrastructure, including 38 parks and open space across 15,000 acres, 248 miles of county roads, and 752 bridges.

  • Fund public social and health services, 911 communications, emergency response, and training capabilities.

  • Fund the Sheriff’s Office, Prosecutor's Office and corrections facilities.

  • Fund human services operations and transit services

  • Support economic development, tourism, and planning.

  • Partially fund affiliated agencies including the Vocational-Technical High School, Raritan Valley Community College, Somerset County Park Commission and Somerset County Business Partnership.

  • Recycling for all 21 municipalities, including schools.

  • Transportation services for six municipalities.

  • Graphics and printing services for 13 municipalities.

  • Vehicle maintenance for 30 municipalities and agencies.

  • Vehicle fuel for more than 50 agencies.

  • Emergency services training.

A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held at 6 p.m. May 14.

Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com

Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Somerset County NJ 2024 budget: What it means for taxes

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