Heat. Heat. The 2026 Reorganization Meeting of the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners is called to order. In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act of the State of New Jersey, adequate notice of the meeting of the Atlantic County Board of County
Commissioners was provided in the following manner. In the press of Atlantic City, mailed to the Hamilton Gazette and has been posted on the bulletin boards in the county office building in Atlantic City, the water building in Northfield, and the county clerk's office in Maze Landing.
Reverend Lou Strugula, pastor of Church by the Bay in Galloway, will deliver the invitation me to be here. Is Siss on? Yes. Why do we gather to pray at an event like this? Because we have been told since time in
memorial that we have a duty to praise and worship a God. A God that provides us, a God that strengthens us, and a God that has so many different names that all of us can be included in the same batch of people.
So today, I'd like you to just think about God in your own mindset and maybe mimic the words that I'm going to use in your own head. Let's pray. Almighty and merciful God, thank you for
the opportunity to serve your people, to serve those that are hurting, to serve those that are wealthy, to serve those that have no home, to serve those that have opulent ones. Thank you for the opportunity to serve here in Atlantic County where you have given us so much.
Thank you for the people who sit at this table who are willing to put their time and energy into taking care of those under their their love more than anything else. For they do what they do not for the
benefit of pay, not for the benefit of status, but for the benefit of community. You've given us so much and now today we just ask you bless all of us here in the state of New Jersey and throughout the
country and the world. Bless us with an idea of peace. Bless us with an idea of camaraderie and community. Bless us with all that we need. For we place all our trust in you as we ask your blessing upon this board of
commissioners whom we pray in your holy name. Amen. Rise for the flag salute to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I am in receipt of certificates of election from the county board of canvaser certifying the elections of county surrogate James Curtio, commissioners Richard Hollins Days and
Art Shanker. County surrogate James Kercio will be administered the oath of office by Atlanta County Commissioner John Rizley. Great. >> Good afternoon everyone. This is indeed a real honor for me to be able to
administer the oath of office to my good friend Jim Kersio and his wife Jessica. You know, we are very lucky in Atlantic County to have a surrogate who is an attorney, a real attorney, and he's an
attorney that works very hard in his office and he's very much handson. I have heard numerous people speak to me about what how he's helped these folks. So, our relationship, as you know, goes
back a long time. We both ran together in 94 for the board of freeholders it was called at the time and uh we've been close friends ever since and of course I even took his secretary away and married
her my wife Dawn. So um with that Jim this has been a real honor to be able to do this. You want to say something? >> Thank you John. Well it's my my my privilege. I uh I would just like to to thank you, John.
Of course, this is very special to me because 31 years ago, we came to this board together and by the grace of God, uh we we're still here and um able to continue serving the people of Atlantic County. I'd like to thank this board of commissioners and the county
administration for the uh outstanding support that you give to the surrogate's office, the surrogate staff and I take a lot of pride in running as efficiently and as we can as an office, but it's only possible because of the outstanding
support that we get from the county. It's a true team effort. And um the um the biggest thank you I wanted to give is to my wife Jessica. Uh she's been with me every step of the way. I could not have been in this uh 30ome year
adventure uh in politics if it hadn't been for Jessica and she's a she is also a real public service in healthcare. So what um what I would really like to say is I am so proud to be a part of Atlantic County government. Uh it is
truly is the the the greatest uh joy of my life is serving in Atlanta County government being part of this. So John, thank you. >> Thank you. Well, Jim, say I >> and give your name and follow. >> James Kersio
>> and repeat after me the following oath. Do solemnly swear. I do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey
>> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state
>> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> I do further solemnly swear >> I do further solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially and justly >> impartially and justly >> perform all the duties
>> perform all the duties >> of the office of county surrogate >> of the office of county surrogate >> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations again. Thanks. >> Thanks everybody.
>> Commissioner Richard Days will be administered the oath of office by County Clerk Joseph Dorado. Joe, we're already married. I just want to let you know. >> Right. Okay. >> I know you've already done 100 weddings this year alone >> so far. Yes. >> Thank you. >> Who's holding the Bible here?
>> Congratulations, Rich. Congratulations to everyone on the commission board. And just a quick note, thank you for all your support of the county clerk's office. >> Ready, Rich? >> So, what's wrong? Left hand on the Bible. Raise the right
hand. >> Well, I don't want to block her, though. Well, you can't test it. Come on, Rich. >> I state your name. >> I, Richard Days, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support >> that I will support >> the Constitution >> the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States
>> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey. and that I will bear true faith >> and that I will that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments >> and to the governments >> established in the United States >> established in the United States
>> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> so help me God >> so help me God >> I do further solemnly swear >> I do further solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly
>> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> of office of County Commissioner >> of Office of County Commissioner >> to the best of my ability. >> to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you so much. >> Commissioner Con states will be
administered the oath of office by Dr. Constant Capman. As you can see, I have a tribe. Yes. Good afternoon. It is indeed an honor and privilege to administer the oath to my father and dad. We want you to know on behalf of your family, your church
family, your friends in our city, we are so proud of you. We love you and we support you. >> Thank you sir. I >> I >> Reverend Collins Aday Senior >> Reverend Colin Aday Senior >> do solemnly affirm
>> do solemnly affirm >> that I will support >> that I will support >> the Constitution of the United States >> the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith >> And I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same
>> and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established >> and to the governments established in the United States and in this state. >> In in the United States and >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority >> under the authority >> of the people >> of the people. >> So help me God.
>> So help me God. I do further solemnly swear >> I do further solemnly affirm >> affirm that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all of the duties >> and perform all the duties >> of the office of county commissioner
>> of the office of county commissioner >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. Thank you. >> All right, let's go. Commissioner elect Art Shanker will be administered the oath of office by
Rander Randolph Laferdy Esquire. >> I'm sorry. show. >> All right, buddy. >> Good. >> Let's turn this way. >> This is your good side. >> Yeah, this is my good side. Thank you.
>> Um, I'd just like to My name is Randy Laferty. I'm a friend of Arts. Uh, I would just like to say that Art has spent his entire adult life assisting working men and women in in all capacities. most recently as the mayor.
We're sorry to see him leave us in Hamilton Township and the county has certainly gained uh someone who has who's here for the right reason and uh and we're we're uh privileged and honored to participate. You ready? >> Thank you. I'm ready.
>> I Archer left hand on. >> You got it. Done this before >> once. I, Archer, >> I, Archer, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I support the Constitution of the United States
>> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> And I will bear true faith >> and I will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and in this state
>> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. So help me God. >> So help me God. >> I do further solemnly swear >> I do further solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly
>> perform all of the duties >> perform all of the duties >> of the office of county commissioner >> of the office of county commissioner. >> According to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you.
If I could take if I could just take a second here. First of all, I got to say something nice about Randy because he's had night. No, I'm not. Never mind. Randy and I have been friends for a long time. Um, I've been in government for about this will be my ninth year. I'm excited to move up to the county
commissioner, but I want to take a moment to thank all of you who made this possible, especially my wife Sharon and my kids that are out there hiding somewhere. They won't come up here, did you? Thank you all very much. I appreciate it. Android.
>> Ladies and gentlemen, I will Burns is unable to attend tonight. I will read the 2026 roll call. Eno days >> here >> here. >> Turn
>> here. >> Parker >> present. >> Grizzly >> here. >> Ruff >> here. >> Janker. >> Resolution number one, nomination of chairperson to the 2026 Atlanta County Board of County Commissioner. I, >> Andrew Parker, nominate
Commissioner John Rizley to be our chairman 2026 year. >> Second the nomination. >> Any further nomination? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Martino. >> Yes. >> R. Days.
>> Yes. Days. >> Yes. >> Earn. >> Yes. Barker. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Rafio. >> Yes. >> Shanker. >> Yes. >> Thank you very much for that support. It is appreciated. And I have some other comments later on.
For now, we're we're going to move on to resolution number two. Nomination of vice chairperson to the 2026 Atlanta County Commissioner. >> Chairman, I nominate Commissioner Andrew Parker as vice chairman to the 2026 Atlanta County Board of
>> Second. The nomination. I'll second that. Any further nominations? >> To close. >> In favor say I. I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Clerk, please call the role.
Martino, >> yes. >> R Days, >> yes. >> Days, >> yes. >> Ern, >> yes. >> Parker. >> Ruffio, >> yes. >> Banker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. >> Please read resolution number three.
>> Notice of regular meetings of the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners to be posted on the Atlantic County website. >> Second. >> Moved and second. Any commissioner comments? Any comments by the public?
None. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> No. >> Yes. >> RDS. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruffio, >> yes. >> Banker, >> yes. >> Grizzly. >> Yes. >> Please read number four.
>> Appointment of John Rizley as Atlanta County Representative to the New Jersey Association of Counties. >> Second. >> Any further nominations? All in favor of closing say I opposed. Motion carries. I'd just like to say
that um I enjoy representing the county at the New Jersey counties and uh will attend all the meetings that I possibly can for the county. Thank you. and per please
for five. >> Ratino, >> yes. >> R Days, >> yes. >> Days, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruffio, >> yes. >> Banker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. Read number five. >> Appointment of Moren Kern as a Landon
County first alternate representative to the NJAC. >> Second. Any other comments? Any of the move from the public? None. Madam
>> clerk, please call the role. >> Yes. >> Or >> yes, >> yes. >> Karn, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Rafio, >> yes. >> Banker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. Read number six.
>> Appointment of June Burns as Atlanta County second alternate representative to the NJAC. >> Move. >> Second. >> Any other motions? >> Madam clerk, please call the role. >> No. >> Yes. >> R. Days? >> Yes. >> Days? >> Yes. >> Earn? >> Yes. >> Barker?
>> Yes. >> Rafio? >> Yes. >> Banker? >> Yes. >> Grizzly? >> Yes. Please read number seven. Appointment of county commissioners to serve on Atlanta County Advisory Boards, commissions, and councils for 2026 purs. >> Thank you. Any other commissioner
comments? Comments from the public hearing? None. Please call the role. >> You know, >> yes. Rays, >> yes. >> Days, >> yes. >> Ern, >> yes. Parker, >> yes. >> Rafio, >> yes. >> Banker, >> yes. Please read number eight.
>> Resolution to make annual reorganization appointments to serve on various authorities, boards, committees. >> Move. >> Second. >> Any other commissioner comments? Comments from the public? Hearing none, please call the role. >> Yes. >> R Days.
>> Yes. >> Days. >> Yes. >> Earn. >> Yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruffio, >> yes. >> Banker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. Read number nine. >> 2026 temporary budget. >> Second. >> Been moved and seconded. Any other
comments? Comments from the public? None. Please call the role. >> Now, >> yes. >> R Days, >> yes. >> Earn, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Rafio, >> yes. >> Banker, >> yes. >> Grizzly,
>> yes. Please read number 10. Depositories and cash management plan for the county of Atlantic 2026. Second. >> Any other discussion by the commissioners? >> Any comments from the public? None. Please call the role.
>> No. >> Yes. >> R Days. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Earn. >> Yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruffio, >> yes. >> Banker, >> yes. >> Grizzley, >> yes. Please read number 11. Establishing petty cash funds for various departments and divisions of
county 2026. >> Second. >> Been moved and seconded. Any other comments from the commissioners? Public comment >> hearing none. Please call the role. >> Yes. >> Raz. >> Yes. >> Haze. Kern. >> Yes.
>> Parker. >> Yes. >> Rio. >> Yes. >> Banker. >> Yes. >> Grizzley. >> Yes. Please read number 12. adopting the governing body certification of compliance with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's enforcement guidance on the consideration of arrest
and convict records andisions under title seven of the Civil Rights Act of 196. >> Any other discussion by the commissioners? Any public comment? >> Please call the role. >> Bertino, >> yes.
>> Yes. Ace, >> yes. >> Hearn, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruff, >> yes. >> Banker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. >> Need to read number 13. >> Resolution for the county to acknowledge
and abide by the budgetary deadline set by the state of New Jersey under NJSA 484-5.1. >> Move. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any other discussion? Commissioners, any comments from the public? Hearing none, please call the
role. >> Martino, >> yes. >> RDS, >> yes. >> Kern, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Rafio, >> yes. >> Banker, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Madam clerk, any other resolutions?
>> No. >> Please resol make a few remarks. certainly support thank my colleagues for their support allowing me to serve as chairman this year.
First of all, I want to congratulate our surrogate Jim Cersio on being reelected, being sworn into another term of office. I want to also congratulate um our new vice chairman, Commissioner Parker.
>> Thank you, sir. And I also want to commend as a board because I know we all feel the same on this topic, the great job that Commissioner Days did last year as
chairman. He did a fantastic job. Uh during this past year, we finally moved to a an agenda, a cons consent agenda. the the advantage to that to our county
is that it provides us more time at our meetings to focus on important issues to the county and dig deeper into issues. So now we operate by a consent agenda and that's a great thing for our board
because we will be researching a number of topics as we go forward this year. Got a lot on the plate. I want to thank the entire county staff for what they do and uh how they respond
to us and get back to us and answer our questions on time. I also want to thank and I know that we all feel the same about this is our great county commissioner's office headed up by Tara Silina
along with Kristen and and Lena. They do a great job for us. They make us look good. They they keep us straight. They keep us organized. And um we're very proud of that office.
immensely proud of him quite frank frankly. Now this particular year marks the 25th year of my service on the board and just like my fellow commissioners I'm very passionate about government very
passionate about government. It's important county government provides services and our job is to provide those services in the most efficient and coste effective manner to all the towns in the
county that can't provide these types of services on their own. So county government is a very very important part of our governmental structure. 2026
will be a challenging year. We'll be talking about centralized disping home tax assessment jail and of course the big issue the health insurance crisis that we're dealing
with. These are just some of the issues that we're going to have to confront. We're working with our county executive Dennis Levenson and the staff in the county to provide some answers to these different
challenges that we're going to face. I want to thank Pastor Lou for being here today. I certainly appreciate it. We appreciate it. And to say thank you to you for all that you do for the police officers and law enforcement
officers in the county. It's really appreciated. And of course, none of us and I couldn't do what I do without the support of my wife, my wife Dawn, which I am so grateful that uh she tolerates this and
um that she knows how much means to me and how the how much how passionate I am about county government. So, with that, that completes my remarks. I certainly want to wish everybody a great year coming forward
2026 and um I'll end at this point. Thank you. Okay. I've been informed that we need to open the meeting to the public. So at this time I'll open the meeting to the public.
If not entertain a motion to close. So moved. >> All right. Very good. Um, Commissioner Parker, you had something? >> Well, you just heard from our chair and
in respect for everyone's time, I won't repeat most of the things or many of the things that he has already stated. We have a lot of serious uh things to tackle within this county this year. And my role will be to make sure
that I'm supporting the chair first and foremost. And second, making sure that this board works together cohesively and that we maintain decorum not only within ourselves but when dealing with the public as well. So to make sure that our
meetings are moving and people feel respected and heard and that we're addressing the topics with transparency, um, accuracy and, you know, not just rhetoric, you know, and a lot of times, you know, with
elected officials, you know, a lot of times there's a lot of talk. So, for those that know me know that uh I'm not interested in a lot of that conversation. I'm more interested in seeing the work that gets done. And um
so that's what my job as vice chair will be. I want to thank everyone that our chair just now thanked. Um our staff for the county commissioners do an excellent job of keeping us on
track and on schedule. You can imagine with so many elected officials up here at times things can seem to be all over the place. And with such a large county, we're dealing with so many different issues from education to public safety to roads and bridges
and anything else that you can think of that affects this and impacts this county. So without their help keeping us aligned, uh I I could only imagine where we'd be. my wife, my family, uh my
friends, my colleagues, you know who you are. Uh you don't have to, you know, come out and show yourself. I appreciate you all for all your support over the years. And for everyone out there in Atlantic County, you you've gotten to know me over the years. You know, I will answer any phone call. If you call me, I
will call you back. I don't promise you that I have the answer. I don't ever claim to be the most knowledgeable uh person about all these things, but I will call you. I will find you the answer and I will call you back with the answer and that is my promise to you and I will continue to do that. So, thank
you all again and happy new year. >> Good. Thank you. Uh Kristen, do we have anyone on the line that wants to make a comment? Okay. Thank you. I'd >> like to recognize a few dignitaries. I'm
sure I'm going to miss someone here, but I'd like to try to recognize a few dignitaries that have taken the time to to be with us today. Our senator uh Vince Palina is here. Our um senator
from District 4, Paul Morardi. We have Assemblywoman, Cliff Cliff. We have our sheriff Joe O'Donnette, of course, James Kersio, our county clerk, Joe Geralo. We have all the mayor of Lank City,
Khaleim Shabbaz, Me Harbor Township, the mayor, Laura Farmer. You have Hamilton Township, Richard Cheek, Tracy Thompson, Thma Witherspoon, and past council person, Charles
Pritchard. We got and from Summers Point, we have Janice Johnston. And we have the current chairman of the county Republican Party in Atlantic County, Don Perie. We have Michael Sulleman, the chairman
of the Atlantic County Democrats. We have two former freeholders here, Alex Marino, and of course, Amy Gatau. It's good to see you both. I see Don Guardian here as well. Thanks for coming, Don.
Hey, I hope I didn't miss anybody. I probably have. >> Mr. Chair, if I may. >> Yes. >> I don't want to leave out our gracious host and Dr. Phil Gunther for allowing us to >> what's this the second year that we've been here, second uh for our
reorganization. So, thank you to the ACIT U leadership and for allowing us to come here, have our reorganization here. Very good.
Okay, it's time to wrap this up then. I'm going to ask Yeah. Any other commissioner comments? You want to wrap it up, Mr. Chair? >> Sure. >> I want to thank you for your your your comments about my my years, chair that
immensely. Um, I also want to congratulate new commissioner, uh, Commissioner Shanker. Want to congratulate our surrogate Jim Kerchio, congratulate Commissioner Collins days. The the Rday days, C days kind of threw me off at first, but different last um
spellings over last name there. Um, so I also need to thank my my family, my mom and dad, of course, my my wife Andrea who's up here with me, son Nicholas, my daughter Kylie, and my son Aiden. Unfortunately, wasn't able to be here tonight. is not not feeling great. Um but um they they've continued to support
me. Without them, I wouldn't be here. Um of course, I would also not be here without the votes um of those in Atlanta County. Um I need to to recognize um one of my my mentors. I mentioned this before, former Congressman Frank Lobondo. He sit on so many meetings with the congressman where he just disagreed
immensely the people that were in him with him in the meeting room. Um he would always end the meetings with listen, we're going to continue to disagree. I'm not going to waste any more of your time, but my door is always opened. My mind will always be open. And I want to let you know that that is true
of me as well. Um, for those of you who did not vote for me, my door is open. My mind is opened. My phone number is out there. I'm going to continue to work to to earn your support. So, thank those of you who came out here today. And for those who are watching online, that uh is true for you as well. So, thank you.
>> Let me just say as well, I want to thank all of my family. I hope it's tremendously wonderful. all the members of second uh Baptist Church and the church family uh in the community district one all the reverend clergy uh who've come of course great mayor of
Atlantic City we're grateful and uh vice president of city council Atlantic City uh Khim Shabbos thank you all so much anyone else okay all right then at this time I'll ask
Pastor Lou to come forward Give us the benediction. Didn't realize I was up for that one. Let's pray. God, you've told us so many times to go forth, so many times in sacred scriptures, so
many times just in the way that we do things. So today, let's hear the words. Go forth as county commissioners, as residents of Atlantic County, as residents of these United States. Go forth to make people's lives better. Go
forth to make a difference. Go forth in love and peace. For we pray all of this in your name. Amen. >> Amen. There be no further business, I'll entertain a motion for a German. All in favor say I. >> I.
>> Motion carries. We're journed. Thank you.