Okay. Can I get a motion to adjourn from executive session and return to regular business? >> So moved. >> Okay. Commissioner Henderson and a second from Commissioner Silverthornne. Any discussion? >> All in favor? I >> post. Number 10. Commissioner's comments.
We'll start with Commissioner Silverthornne. Okay. Um, I attended a Zoom call for the film ready certification and then that was followed up with a meeting at the college for the Sussex County Film
Commission. I think everything's in place and they're going to be ready for the next meeting to uh pass that resolution and have everything good to go. Um, I also attended the board of elections reorganization meeting and then took a tour uh Ken and I took a
tour of the facility. Um, [clears throat] I attended the German Christmas market give back. It was uh was it just under a million dollars in total give back so far since they've
been in >> Yeah. And and they should go over that this year with with the with their anniversary year coming up. Um I attended uh with uh director space the votech board of ed meeting
followed up by a uh league of municipality s county league and municipality meeting. Um and then uh I'm trying to get out to the towns that I also I am not liaison to. uh I went to want and I'm just go trying
to go to some of the towns where I've had dealings with in the past or towns where I don't have a a good familiarity with uh with with the whole board or uh committees and and uh councils. Um so I I I went to Wantage because we I had a lot of dealings with them and I just
wanted to touch base with them for some things that we had done from Frankfurt. And then also I and I wish I could say I planned it this way, but I was at Newton's meeting this week and it was uh also the swearing in of their new police chief uh lieutenant and sergeant. So I I
lucked out and got to uh talk to their council as well as uh witness the swearing in. So I wish them good luck on that. and um from the library. The library is in full swing with the celebrate America's Revolutionary
uh 250. So u they would just like to let everyone know that they have a couple of things coming up in April, Revolutionary War transcription for teens and they also have the Whippony Burring yard 300 years of history. Um, for additional
information on that, you can reach out to their uh website which is uh specifically for celebration 250 which is sussial county library.org uh us250. And that's it. >> Thank you, Commissioner Henderson.
>> Okay, we're going to be a little bit repetitive here with Commissioner Silverthornne here. On March 15th, I along with fellow commissioners attended the German Christmas Market event at the Fairgrounds Conservatory. The market has been in existence now for 24 years, donating back to the community a total
of over $930,000. This year alone, nearly 178,000 was donated to 64 Sussex County charities and nonprofits, including Sus Sussex County Social Services. On March 16th, I along with Commissioner Director Space
tooured every Sussex County library along with library director Will Porter and associate director Ellen Callahan. It was great to see so many residents at every location. Sussex Wanage Library had 73,000 visitors last year. Vernon
had 53 and the Frankfurt Maiden branch is still the most popular location. This gave us the opportunity to speak with the employees, tour the entire facilities, and see the condition condition of each branch. What I found was amazing. The various things you could take out, including metal
detectors, fishing poles, sewing machines, and pots and pans. I can assure you I did not check them out for my wife. So when you think library, please don't think books only. Also on the 16th I attended the Sussex County a board meeting here. Exciting
times coming in the next few months as they launched the new A website highlighting the county's rich agricultural roots. I can say after seeing and previewing previewing the website, it is very userfriendly for all ages. The county staff has done an amazing job building this site.
On March 17th, I attended the walk out of Chief Joseph Deabel after 25 years of service to Newton. I'd like to wish him the best in his retirement and welcome new the new newest chief Danfle who was sworn in at a recent ceremony on March 18th. I attended the Skuma meeting. Just
to make this board aware, Skuma has placed a $214,000 lean against Bright Horizon Development for failure to pay connection fees for a new 55 and over complex that was recently built in Vernon. The same evening, I attended the Sussex County
League of Municipalities with my fellow commissioners. Always a great opportunity to speak with fellow administrators, mayors, and committee members about the obstacles faced by every municipality. On Mar on Monday, March 23rd, I was at the Sussex County Food Pantry. I'd like to recognize Weiss Markets for hosting a
stuff the bus campaign at both their store locations in Franklin and Newton to stock the food pantry shelves. On March 23rd, I attended the Vernon Council meeting and again, like every other municipality and council and committee is struggling to cover the cost with the least amount of tax
increase to local residents. And that's all I have. >> You commissioner Carney. Thank you. Start off with department of engineering today. The county division of public works. Division of public works will be first round of fleet street.
These hats are one of the minimum basic components required by the county that contains operation roadway uh in reducing amount of debris carried by the stormwater collection systems into the county's waterways. Uh, Sussex County Bridge X43. We have a
construction award. The Division of Engineering has completed review of bid submitted for the replacement of Sussex County Bridge X43. 43. X43 is in the Wage Township along County Road 651, also known as Unionville Road. The division is recommending commissioner approval for
approximately 1.8 million contract with grade construction of Patterson, New Jersey for replacement of the bridge. NJ DOT local bridge transportation trust fund grants will fund the construction phase of the project. Work will require will require a full closure and detour of Unionville Road for the duration of
the bridge replacement. Construction work is anticipated to start late summer this year and the division of engineering is available to discuss any project and and questions and they can be reached at 973-5790430. Uh Cesus County Route 515 in Vernon.
Cesus County Office of Bridge and Traffic Safety is preparing the installation of new speed limit and warning signs along county route 515 in Vernon. The sign installations will complete work associated with their re-evaluation and recommendations including within the speed limit engineering study completed by Division
of Engineering. The study resulted in the commissioners authorizing modifications to the currently posted speed limits along the segment of County Road 515. traffic crews uh traffic safety crews expect to have new signs installed by midappril.
Uh Sussex County Trails Grant Program. As a reminder, applications by the 20 for the 26 Sussex County Trail Grants Program are being accepted until May 15th by the Sussex County Division of Planning for our Sussex County Open Space Committee. The grant program is funded through the Cesus County Farmland
Preservation, Recreation, Open Space Trust Fund, and grants can be used to assist eligible applicants with construction, rehabilitation, restoration, and maintenance of publicly owned shared use trails. Municipalities are strongly encouraged to contact the Cesus County Division of Planning to review the grant program and consider
submitting an application. You they can also reach them at 973-5790500. County Route 613 stormwater system. The Division of Public Works construction crew has remobilized and will be completing upgrades and replacement of storm water conven conveyance system
servicing a segment of Kenny Route 613 in Byum. The project includes installation of new water quality chamber. The chamber will significantly reduce the amount of debris carried by the storm water system in Lake Mohawk. Crews expect to have crews expect to have the project complete in the next
four to five days. um update for our health and sheriff's office poleb barns that we've been waiting for for years. I feel like uh staff within the division of engineering DPW and office of facilities management are in the final stages of preparing to begin construction of the division of
health storage poleb barn project and the suss county sheriff's storage poleb barn and module office project. Recent work has included finalizing design and construction details, securing permits, finalizing construction schedules, ordering materials, finalizing assignment of construction equipment,
coordination with subcontractors and project support vendors in coordinate co coordination with external agencies and internal project clients. Department of engineering planning anticipates on-site construction will begin by midappril. And I would like to thank uh our council
Steinhart for helping out with the D. without you, we'd probably be a little behind more so behind schedule because we already are behind schedule. So, thank you for your assistance in that. Um, I attended our ENJAC board of directors meeting uh last week. We went over some legislation that's happening through New
Jersey and how it will affect Sussex County. Uh, we also had a League of Municipalities. I'm not sure if Commissioner Henderson touched on that. You did touch on that. So, lots of things that we go to. German Christmas market. I know that you both hit on it, but I want to say yeah $930,000 and $177
$818 that they gave away this year, we received $2,500. That's our third year in a row that we got. And that's going to our food pantry, which we always need as we always go over this time and time again at every meeting. So, every bit helps. So, it's $2,500, which was nice. I also attended the stuff the bus this
past Saturday, um, which is always a good event. Seemed like to raise a lot of food. My son put some community hours in for his confirmation class. So spent some time over there. So we'll join venture my son and I had so it was good and that's all I have. >> Hey deputy director [clears throat] Groot.
>> Yes. Uh good evening everyone beginning with the Lake Muskan Regional Planning Board. I attended my first meeting as a voting member after being sworn in. I'm pleased to report that the board has officially closed on a 572,000 grant from the NJT. want to extend a sincere thank you to chairman Earl Riley of Byum
for leading this effort from start to finish. These funds will support the purchase of a aquatic harvester to address the lakes's heavy vegetation, an investment that will benefit not only the lake itself, but also the surrounding Sussex County communities of Stanh Hope, Hope, Hackon, and Byron. Uh, additionally, I attended the Sussex
County Community uh community college board of trustees meeting yesterday. Key highlights include a discussion of the upcoming visit from the accredititors of Middle States Commission on higher education next week and its important to the institution. The board also reviewed several capital projects including the
progress of the learning commons, the diesel service and building construction building and the outdoor shooting range. Uh the trustee board also looks forward to tomorrow's ribbon cutting ceremony for the optics technology center at 5:00 pm. Uh over the past two weeks I've had uh the opportunity to participate in a
couple community events. I spoke with students at Satan Hall University about county government and civics. A big thank you to Professor Hail and the students for their engagement and wonderful questions. Additionally, I joined my fellow commissioners in attending the German Christmas Market annual giveback event uh where it was great to see the generosity and strong
sense of community that makes Sussex County so special. That's all. Thank you and God bless. Thank you. Um I recently attended the installation dinner for the Stillwater Volunteer Fire Department. I want to congratulate all the line officers and thank them for volunteering their time
to protect and serve their community. Uh, Commissioner Henderson touched on us visiting all of the county libraries and uh, they were very busy, all of them. I enjoyed the puzzles and Ken and I really wanted to like stop what we were doing and jump in on the puzzles, but we
couldn't. Um, and it was nice to see the Dennis Library for Commissioner Henderson to see that those upgrades are desperately needed there. Um, although Christina is going to touch on that in her comments. Um, I attended a Jinny's board meeting, Jinny's house board
meeting, and Jinny's House is actively um getting involved in our schools in educating children about abuse, and they have um been in front of approximately 6,000 kids so far. And they do have meetings with the parents. They offer
meetings with the parents at the schools beforehand so that the parents understand what they're discussing and it's not a surprise to them. Uh, like Commissioner Silverthornne said, we stopped at the Sussex Tech board meeting last week and it was the last one for Superintendent Gus Moda, even though
he'll be here tomorrow because we do have the board of school estimate meeting. Um, I wish him well as next chapter as a parent of three graduates. I've had the opportunity to see how he operates the school and also a little behind the scenes on the commissioner board. We also had the opportunity to
meet the new interim superintendent, Christopher Kuruba. He comes from a public school in Warren County. His contract is through August or until the school board hires someone new. Um the other commissioners and I attended the newly reactivated Sussex County League
of Municipalities. And I want to thank Tammy Horsefield and Franklin administrator Neil Spitto for reviving this. It's a great way for the municipalities to network. And that's all I have on that. And then um Division of Senior Services, the Sussex County Veterans Appreciation Lunchon. The
Sussex County Division of Senior Services is hosting an appreciation lunchon in honor of Sussex County veterans. This special event will be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 from 11 to 2:00 p.m. at the Farmstead Golf and Country Club located at 88 Lawrence
Road in Lafayette. The luncheon will include presentations from various veteran organizations, information tables, and giveaways. Pre-registration for this event is required by April 17th, 2026. For additional information and to RSVP for the lunchon, please
contact the Sussex County Division of Senior Services at 973-579055 extension 1277 or email senior services@sussex.nj. US Division of Health, Office of Public Health Nursing, school immunization
audits. The Office of Public Health Nursing completes an annual audit of student immunization records at all preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, and child care centers across Sussex County to ensure compliance with the minimum immunization
requirements set forth by NJAC 857-4. Audit efforts are currently in progress and ongoing. The office will visit 93 county schools to conduct these audits for the 2025 2026 school year. Final audit reports must be submitted to the
New Jersey Department of Health annually in June. The purpose of immunization requirements for pupils attending schools in New Jersey is to ensure that highly infectious and dangerous diseases do not inflict children of school age in our state. That's all I have there.
Okay. Number 11, there is no approval of a consent agenda because we don't have one. Number 12, we don't have any minutes. Number 13, no ordinances. 14, no appointments and/or resignations. So, we're going to go to the resolutions.
Number 15. Can I get a motion to adopt resolutions A through O with omitting item G? >> So moved. >> Okay, Commissioner Henderson. and a second. >> Second. >> Commissioner Silverthornne. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please.
>> Deputy Director Degru, >> yes. >> Commissioner Henderson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Silverthorn, >> yes. >> Commissioner Carney, >> yes. >> Director Space, >> yes. Okay. Next, I have item P. A motion
to adopt resolution approving the use of project labor agreements in public works projects. Can I get a motion to adopt item resolution P? >> So moved. Second, >> Commissioner Silverthornne and a second
from Deputy Director Degroup. Any discussion about the attorney? >> Yeah, you need to Yeah, we need to bring everybody up to speed here. So item G was is a project labor agreement for a resurfacing project. Uh in short, project labor agreements are agreements that um the United States Supreme Court
recognized uh going back into the 80s uh that the New Jersey uh state legislature codified in 2002 that in instances where uh the governing body concludes uh that for reasons of financial economy
efficiency uh labor efficiency uh etc. uh and the statute spells out a criteria that you go through and they're reflected in the resolution G that you have in front of you uh that you can award project labor agreements in projects on a projectby- project basis.
However, on January 20th, 2026, the Governor Murphy signed a new law into uh place that modified the old 2002 uh statute that set a $5 million floor for project labor agreements and
effectively removed the $5 million floor. Governor Murphy said that you could do project labor agreements uh on any government contract provided the contract uh will provide for efficient, safe, quality and timely completion of the project in a manner designed to
afford lower reasonable cost to the county. Uh and it does that by ensuring things like skilled labor and experience standardized terms. Uh terms that prevent work stoppages, strikes, slowdowns, etc. Um, but because of the
revision in the law in January of 2026, you don't have an overarching policy in place uh that allow that tells your departments to look for project labor agreements if they feel that uh they satisfy the statute triatory criteria. Obviously, the individual departments
can't award them. That job rests solely with the commission board, which you're doing in uh G. Uh but it would be incumbent upon you to uh adopt a resolution that just says that it's essentially the county policy uh to look for for cost savings if you can in the
form of project labor agreements where the departments find them appropriate and then obviously refer those back to the board. So that's what I gave you. It's effectively a restating of NJSA52 38-1 which is the project labor agreement statute and everything that's
in it uh with um an eye toward the law change from two months ago and it's coming up because this is this is your first uh resolution since the change in the law in January. >> Okay. So I had a motion from Commissioner Silverthornne and a second from Deputy Director Degru. Uh roll
call, please. >> Deputy Director Degrru. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Henderson. >> Yes. Commissioner Silverthor, >> yes. >> Commissioner Carney, >> yes. >> Director Space, >> yes. >> Okay. Next, I'm going to resolution G.
Can I get a motion to adopt resolution G? >> So moved. >> Okay. Commissioner Henderson. A second. Deputy Director Degrroot. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Deputy Director Degroup. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Henderson. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Silverthorn. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Carney. >> Abstain.
>> Director Space. >> Yes. Okay. Next, I have resolution R. Can I get a motion to approve an amended use application for the reservation and use of the Newton Green? >> So moved.
>> Okay. Commissioner Henderson in a second. >> Second. >> Commissioner Carney. Any discussion? >> Yeah. So again, this has gone through a sort of a long tortured past. Uh but uh we've revised at the commissioner's direction uh the use agreement uh
surrounding use of um the the new in green. Uh it is a result of pulling together similar agreements from really across the country uh that have been tested in other places. Uh I understand that there's a copy that will be out available for everybody to take with
them tonight. Um but uh in it is the resolution and attached that obviously is a use agreement and an insurance certificate. Uh but uh am comfortable or feel comfortable uh that it is consistent with the board's intention of
of um balancing the equities between folks first amendment rights to be able to to say what they want where they want and at the same time protect the public safety. >> Thank you. So we had a motion from Commissioner Henderson and a second from Commissioner Carney. Um, roll call, please. >> Deputy Director Degru,
>> yes. >> Commissioner Henderson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Silverthorn, >> yes. >> Commissioner Carney, >> yes. >> Director Space, >> yes. >> Okay. Awards of contract change orders bids. We have two. The board of county commissioners of the county of Sussex
has reviewed the award of contract change orders bids consisting of various proposed resolutions and determined that adoption of the said resolutions is in and will further the public interest. Can I get a motion to adopt resolutions A and B?
>> Still moved. >> Second. Deputy Director Degrroot. Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Deputy Director Degru. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Henderson. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Silverthornne. >> Yes. Commissioner Carney. >> Yes. >> Director of space. >> Yes. Okay. Number 17, the financials.
Uh, can I get a motion to pay bills list A from March 25th, 2026? >> So move. >> Okay. Commissioner Henderson. In a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Commissioner Silverthorn. Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Deputy Director Dloo. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Henderson. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Silverthorn.
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Connie. >> Yes. >> Director Space. >> Yes. Uh, can I get a motion to pay bills list B of March 25th, 2026? >> So move. >> Okay. Commissioner Henderson and a second with uh Commissioner Silverthornne. Any discussion? Roll
call, please. >> Deputy Director Degroup. >> Stain. >> Commissioner Henderson. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Silverthorn. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Carney. >> Yes. >> Director Space. >> Yes. >> Okay. Now we have uh two more resolutions. Can
I get a motion to adopt resolutions C and D? >> So moved. >> Commissioner a second. Commissioner Henderson. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Deputy Director Degrew, >> yes. >> Commissioner Henderson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Silverthorn, >> yes.
>> Commissioner Carney, >> yes. >> Director Space, >> yes. Number 18, we have no personnel. Number 19 is the administrative report. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Uh first thing I want to uh give an update on is our feasibility study. Uh we had the bid opening yesterday for the architectural
engineer firms. We received 25 bids. We received quite a few bids for that those services. Uh we expect to place that resolution for consideration by the board uh to award and uh architectural engineer on the April 22nd meeting. Uh as you as you recall the bid opening for
the appraisal firm that's scheduled for April 2nd still with an anticipated award date of May 13th. Uh I briefly met with our office of employee services today to discuss workers compensation claims um specifically regarding the ability to bring workers uh back to work
in a light duty status um if they are cleared for light duty um prior to them returning to work in a full-time capacity. Uh this was a practice of the county many years ago and employees were placed in different areas throughout the county to accommodate light duty. Um
there are going to be circumstances where an employee then you know is not able to even accommodate some type of light duty, but we are looking to bring those policies and practices back to the county. Um an update on the Dennis Library. We received some communications regarding concerns regarding the update upgrades and construction project for
the Dennis Library. I just want to clarify and alleviate any concerns uh that the county rejected the contractor bids on February 27 uh 25th just due to the fact that the bids came in a above cost. Uh the county is still moving forward with the project and we expect that the rebids will be live by next
week. uh the CWA contract. I am happy to announce that the CWA non-supervisor and supervisory contracts have been officially ratified by the membership and we are expecting to have this for the board's final consideration at the April 8th commissioner meeting. I want
to congratulate uh an employee in our department of engineering Bob Pierce uh for his election to the public works association of New Jersey executive board as the vice president of region 2. Uh this appointment reflects his dedication to the public works association and we do want to congratulate him for that appointment.
Uh as Commissioner Silverthornne previously reported, the county has moved closer on becoming film ready certified. Uh for consideration at our next meeting, the board uh will be receiving a copy of a code of conduct that is required by the state in order to move forward in that process. Uh this
is one of the final steps. Uh and hopefully beyond that then the county will be certified. uh one of a few not every county has been certified in the state so we would uh hold a distinction with a few other counties and uh just to give a quick update I'm meeting tomorrow with the administrator and the deputy
county administrator for Morris County uh we just want to have that first initial meeting face to face we have a lot of shared services with them uh so want to be able to kind of see what their operations are down there and uh review some of our services that's all I have
>> thank you county council report >> yeah just briefly Um, Commissioner Carney touched on the one I did have uh the the privilege of uh arranging a meeting with uh Commissioner Potisnack uh of the D with uh the county administrator to go over some county matters and I thought that that went
well. Um and the only other two matters are the two that you covered, ma'am. Uh the PLA amendment from January of 2026 uh and the Newton Green. So, we're good. Thanks. >> Um anyone have any unfinished business? >> No, >> I do. You do. Just one thing really
quick. Just want to say I'm pleased to hear and this board has agreed with moving forward on the feasibility study for the jail. I might be correct saying it was March 17th. Uh half a Newton was without power after a storm. [clears throat] Uh several employees were sent home because their building had no power. I
just think it's another checkbox for the jail. The jail does have a generator. I'm not sure if it operates the whole building, but a lot of the buildings because I know I read the report regarding that. I just think that puts another checkbox in how valuable that jail is to us to keep employees working here all day.
>> Y >> I just want to add that's for all our buildings, just not the jail, all the buildings that we have, including the Greek. >> Uh any new business? Okay. Number 22. Whoops. Public session from the floor. This public session is
for those wishing to make general comments of 3 minutes or less on non-aggenda topics. Please line up at the microphone and state your name and municipality for the record. Can I get a motion to open the floor for public comment? >> So moved. >> Okay. >> Deputy Director Degrroot. Second. Uh,
Commissioner Silverthornne. Any discussion? All in favor? I posted abstain. Okay. The floor is open. >> Ken Collins Township. I've been in front of this board time and time again in the pursuit of lower property taxes. And
recently I've tried to explain to you that if you increase the amount you raise through taxes by a mere three and a half% annually, you double taxes in 20 years. So I decided to take a look back at the county budgets. And you know what
I found? How long do you think it took you to double tax? Buddy, got any idea how long it took for this board to double tax it? Um, I found that Sussex Countyy's commissioners doubled the amount you
raised from taxes in 24 years from 2001 to 20125. These are factual numbers in your record. In the 2025 budget, you raised 103,97,000 and change. And in 2001, you only raised
52 million, less than 52 million. You doubled taxes in 24 years in a county with zero population growth in the same period. And while I continue to plead with you to stop increasing property taxes every year, I have to shine a light on financial waste that I
saw. Does anybody know what the average cost is to a New Jersey county for a county council? But it is less than $200,000. Much less, by the way. Does anybody know
how much Sussex County paid Doug Steinhart's law firm last year? Anybody? Guys paid him? Over $735,000. That's over $2,000 every single day of the year.
That's more than three times the state average for a county council. Why? Why are you wasting so much money on county council? Political grit. That's the answer.
You need to fire L'Oreal Peruji, Steinhard, Capelli, and Typton as county council. It is a waste of money. FBI investigations, warehouses, and political grift should not involve our
county council at all. Next up, how much was our previous county council paid? Let you know. >> I'm director. Director, I actually have some information that I can provide um
to Mr. uh Collins. Um and this is all public information that you would be able to find. But um our current county council does not just consist of county council. There are many other attorneys within that office that handle various different we have special counsel uh we
have um at uh work that's being done within all different department so it's not just within uh the office of county council um when I did an analysis because obviously this is I'm coming in as uh as new administrator and I wanted to review all aspects of county budget
um so I did do an analysis of county council as well and what I was able to find is that historically the county of Sussex has paid over $1 million to various county councils from the years 19 uh 2016 I apologize all the
way through 2020 uh 2019 I believe it is or no I'm sorry 2021 um we saw a reduction in that because we were able to reduce the amount of special counsel and additional services that were needed um so the latter half of 2021 through 2025 was actual
reductions in county council fees. Um I more than happy to provide Mr. Collins with uh specific information should he show with wish. >> Can I chime into? >> Yes, you may. >> Yeah. So, for what it's worth, 2021 was halfway through the year was when we took over and that's when you started actually reducing your county council
costs. Uh just by comparison, you have 150,000 people in Sussex County and $750,000 bill. Warren County has 100,000 people. Their county council bills run uh close to $900,000 a year. uh Middle Sex County, just because it's a bigger county, uh their county council budget
is $2.2 million a year. Um so just to give you a sense, um every year that we've been here, uh we've actually cost you our C Sussex County less than our predecessors >> by about 20%. >> I just want to comment one thing as in
on the on the tax part. I usually don't like to comment back, but um salaries and wages have gone up from 2001. I know as an employer myself that I was paying 14 year olds I want to say the minimum wage back in 2001. This is a guess because I didn't research it was
probably like 725 and now it's just about $16. So that's gone up. So our obviously our salaries for the county has probably doubled since 2001. You're not going to have an employee stay with the county if they're going to be making what they made in 2001. So other than
the commissioners because we are making what they made in 2001 but they also had health insurance where we don't have health insurance. So we actually are costing the residents in 2026 less than the freeholders did in 2001. And that's a fact anyone can look that up.
>> There have also been multiple um unfunded mandates that have been passed down to this board year after year after year that unfortunately they don't have any control [clears throat] over and has affected the budget tremendously as well. and our municipalities and schools are going to be forced to raise taxes
this year um because of all these mandates and insurance costs. This is going to be a rough year everywhere. There's I I would love to see a school that can stay flat this year because I don't I can't see it happening and we have to educate our kids. Thank you.
Hampton cyber security infrastructure and security agency otherwise known as CISA or America's cyber defense agency was established to secure our nation's cyerspace protects our institutions election
system finance tampered with and infiltrated by bad actors such as Russia, China, Iran and other forces that wish to be to at best commit crimes and at worst dismantle our economy and democracy.
However, the Trump regime fired approximately 30% of CIS staff over the past year at a time when cyerspace becomes more complex at an exponential rate with the have to ask yourself why would the
federal government make such drastic cuts to the agency our cyerspace and Americans from misuses AI rather than hiring more agents to secure our institution assistance and personal
further during the partial government shutdown caused by Republicans who refused to pass budget that will provide for our basic another approximately 30% of CISA agents are not currently working to keep our
nation safe under attack make the situation worse just days before the US and Israel launched the attack on Iran the head of the FBI Cash Patel fired a dozen agents who specifically work counter intelligence
dedicated to investigating threats. Mind you, these were career government employees who were simply doing the not political cronies or corrupted officials, but dedicated public servants whose mission was protect American citizens from cyber
terrorism. Again, ask yourself, why would Cash Patel put the US in that disadvantaged position? back to the country they mo further. As a result of Trump's unjustified war of choice, the director
of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, resigned last week in protest to the war in Iran, stating that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States. Kent was not a holdover from the Biden administration. Trump appointed
Megan Diehard, who is one of only a handful of Republicans who have stood up and told the truth about Trump's lies to the American people. Every American should demand the removal of Cash Patel as the head of the FBI and the return of
CISA employees to their federal jobs. Our cyerspace is not protected, which means our institutions not being protected by our federal government. This is one of the many
reasons to call for the impeachment of >> Good evening everyone. I have to ahead of time apologize. I do not have my proper glasses tonight. So if I can't Well, that's why I unfortunately did not bring the right glasses with me tonight.
They're home sitting on a desk. Um, tonight I'd like to uh I'd like you to wonder about um and ask you about what would Jesus do. Since a lot since some people, you know, like to uh bring
God into it, I figured I would do that this evening. Our ice is out of control. They are rounding up anyone they choose without warrants or due process. As a result, detention centers are overcrowded and are functioning in an
even inhumane way. There are many cases of hideous crimes, abuse, and neglect. I don't have the the time to discuss all of these cases obviously since I only have three minutes. So, I can only give
you a few quick examples. One is a young girl who was detained, who by the way was an American citizen, was detained with her mother and was vomiting blood. When her mother pleaded for help with from an officer, the officer said, "Oh,
just give her a cracker." In another facility, pregnant women were forced to sleep on the floor because there wasn't enough bed space for them. And one of the women was left alone in a room with no food, water, or medical attention for 24 hours while she was in
the process of having a miscarriage. Another facility denied basic food, water, health care, while allowing sewage to build up and bubble up in toilets and showers. in a te in a Texas detention center. Um, men were shot at
with rubber bullets because they were complaining about the about the lack of services that they needed and also there was one detainee who was found dead. He was found dead and the coroner said it was from expiation.
A witness stated that a guard had been strangling the man. Young children in detention centers are suffering mental and physical severe problems that will cause them trauma for the rest of their lives and they will
never recover. Some expressed hopelessness and some even contemplated suicide. At least 70 to 75% of these people in these centers have never committed any crime ever. There are is there are also
a number of American citizens being detained. ICE is certainly not tracking down the quote unquote worst of the worst, but instead they are capturing the vulnerable based on either skin color or their occupation. >> Thank you,
>> Miguel Monoad. When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as native born. Love them as
yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. Leviticus 19 33 and 34. The rabbis say this command is repeated more than any other in all of the Torah because it's the hardest
one to do. We have a solid idea of who God is. Some of us are still learning who our neighbor is. I want to read you two things from inside ICE detention centers. On my first day at Clint, I
spoke with an 11-year-old boy caring for his three-year-old brother. Both were fending for themselves in cinder block cells for three weeks. The little one had matted hair, a hacking paw, muddy pants, and eyes that fluttered closed
with fatigue. another. When guards ignore our basic needs, I try to tell them I know we are immigrants, but that does not make us less human. Being here feels like torture. I don't
feel like I can survive another month. Those are from ICE facilities. But if you replace immigrant with Jewish or Japanese and ICE agent form Nazi guard, you'd be
reading a history book. One more to close. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. The book of Proverbs 31:8. I'm learning who my neighbor is. I think
it might be everyone. >> I came here to midnight to read an email that I sent for everyone. >> Yes. I apologize. >> Thank you. I apologize. Um, I'm only reading portions of this email because I won't have enough time to read. On
picking up my son yesterday, he filled me in on an assembly that took place in school. At the outset, let me be clear. My son is 16 years old. He is a minor and my husband and I are his parents. The fact that zero notice was given about this assembly or its content and no opt out option was afforded to these
students is incredibly egregious. My son was pulled from a college credit course for which we paid to within an assembly during which I understand he along with the entire student body were informed that words such as sir, ma'am, madam, ladies, gentlemen, guys, firemen and policemen should not be used any longer
as they are not inclusive enough. This is completely unacceptable and utter nonsense. Saying good morning sir or have a great day ma'am is simply manners 101. This has nothing to do with inclusivity or exclusivity. I am appalled that this school would allow an assembly whereby the takeaway is to
dispose of his parents worked hard to instill in our son. When our son thanks a veteran for his or her service, he has been taught to say, "Thank you for your service, ma'am or sir, as appropriate, not be changed, nor should he be punished for using words are appropriate
any longer." I also understand the speaker informed these children that they can in fact be any gender they should choose and that there are indefinite number of set of of genders. A toaster is not a gender. A sound is not a gender. They were told yesterday
that they in fact could be those things. Please do not misunderstand my upset. I have no issue with teaching our children about inclusivity and being respectful of others and their choices. In fact, I believe it is warranted and should be should have been included in an assembly. What I do have issue with is
that my son was pulled from a college level course that we brought together to attend an assembly about the inclusivity of one specific group of people while excluding every other group of people. Why was this assembly not reflective of the inclusivity of all of the students at Sussex Tech? Perhaps my son missed
it. points of the portion of the assembly that discussed racial discrimination and that the word should not be used. Something my son, a biracial student at Sussex Tech, was called during most of his freshman year in a derogatory and disgusting manner. It wasn't even addressed at that time.
It's not even in his file right now. We asked. It's not there. If we're going to teach inclusivity, by all means, do so. I beg you to do it. But be mindful of what inclusivity actually includes. I received a phone call from Mr. MBA, our
superintendent, following receipt of that email to apologize for not having known about the content of this assembly. It is unfathomable to me that our topheavy administration is suggesting that no one knew the content
of this assembly and that no one approved it. >> Okay, >> she's not finished. >> I only have a few more words. It's inexplicable to me that we're excusing all of this away at Sussex Tech. And we have been since I walked in the door. My
son's freshman year. He is a junior at this school. We don't have late busing for these students to go to the clubs and organizations that they need to. But we can afford to do this. We can afford to have assemblies about something that
half these kids walked out on, fell asleep on. They don't care. They don't. And neither do I. Live and let live by all means. This is out of control. >> Someone needs to talk to these people.
Someone needs to figure out who we talk to. >> Yes, we will. We are looking into it. >> Yes, we are. We are looking into it. And what I did find out today that it was a grant um and it was Edge New Jersey if anyone wanted to look that up. um and
that I was also told that the kids weren't allowed to opt out and the administration didn't know. So, we're looking into it further, but um I did read the apology from the school. So, and of course, we didn't know anything about it. Yeah. Yep.
>> Okay. Yep. I have to say that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. and director, I'll just add um >> as luck would have it, I have a meeting tomorrow with with the superintendent. So I >> Oh, you do? Okay. Yep. And then we have
a border school estimate meeting. We have a border school estimate meeting tomorrow with Sussex Tech at >> I'll bring it up >> 4 p.m. which is a public meeting and it's here. >> It's open to the public. And sorry, Mrs. Brennan, you already spoke. >> No, you we don't allow extra time.
>> Okay. >> Okay. But it was because it was on county business. That was why. [clears throat] >> You said at the last meeting there cyber security attack. That's >> then then I will I will give you an extra minute. So I just I you know when it's county business, county business is
county business. So one one minute for each of the speakers. And what on the 250th anniversary of our country, what would Jesus say if he appeared down here right now? I do not believe that he
would condone any of this in any way and is is not part of any of his teachings. Thank you. That's because it was about the children in our local schools. So for children, >> it's okay. >> Either stick to three minutes or don't.
Yep. Well, I'm going to make a motion to see if we change it to two minutes for now on >> as bad as the tyrant Trump that sits in the White House. Being anarian and taking away our first amendment rights is not your job. Your
job is to protect us and to pass ordinances in the best interest of this county. And that is not a policy of the county that is in our best interest. Just because you don't like what we have to say doesn't mean you have the right to cut us off.
>> I have never cut you off in this county issue in this county and other counties telling us what those cyber security threats or issues are. And you made great claim that our IT department is
taking care of it. Our IT department cannot protect us against the cyber threats that are going on in this country and across the world. You're kidding yourself if you think these things do not have to. >> Ken Collins, Handover Township. Um, you
know, excuses, excuses, excuses. Everyone makes excuses as to why they've got to raise taxes. You guys are the ones who do it, okay? And it's a fact. You doubled taxes in 24 years. Look at your numbers. It's a fact. You can blame
it on everything else all day long. But you raised taxes. Your husband, Parker, raised taxes. Every All of your predecessors who sat in those chairs raised taxes every single year, year in and year out. Not once did any of you
guys tow the line. Not once. Not a single time. $700,000 in change, more than $2,000 a day, is a waste of money for an attorney. I don't care how good they are. This county cannot afford to pay $2,000 every single day. A lawyer.
That's ridiculous. Then you were getting it before. You were paying too much before cuz that law ain't working. So, I'm here tonight to talk about the Save Act. Yes, voter ID is a big issue. Yes, a lot of Americans will be
disenfranchised despite what the Republican party is telling you. No, most states will not accept real ID, valid ID. The truth is, you'll need a birth certificate or passport that matches your current ID. Because an estimated 79 to 84% of married women in
the US take their spouse's surname, millions of women have a current legal name that does not match their birth certificate. If a married woman has not updated her passport to her married name, her birth certificate, and older documents will show her maiden name, causing a mismatch that could delay or prevent registration. But all of this is
only one issue regarding the Save Act. There's a much bigger issue lurking in this bill. That being the states will have to hand over all of their voter data, their voter roles, their voter info, and your private voting records to the federal government. The federal
government is then going to put it in their system. And then every 30 days, they are allowed to purge voter roles. This will give the federal government the ability to take any person they want off of the eligible voting list. And they can do this purge monthly, every 30
days. The system they are suggesting that they're going to be using has already been shown to have chronic problems and has been shown to randomly take Americans off the list for no reason. A handful of states are using someone's decision not to vote. They decided not to vote. That is the trigger
for removing them from the voter roles. Georgia has been exceptionally aggressive with this. This is a new form of voter suppression. So now we have a bill to say that that will disenfranchise women, the working class and the poor. We also have a system in which the federal government can pick
and choose who they'd want to remove from the voter roles. With the voter roles on hand, they could just pick Dems if they so wanted. We are looking at an election takeover by an authoritarian who wants to win at any cost and doesn't want to be held
accountable. It doesn't matter if you are male. It doesn't matter if you're female. It doesn't matter if you're Democrat. Doesn't matter if you're Republican. None of this matters. What matters is our constitution. The federal government should never have the ability to purge the voter roles of the entire
country on a whim. Period. Point blank. This is our constitution we're talking about. You can't do this. It gets worse because they don't even have to let you know you've been removed. You could show up on election day with your passport, be denied because they decided to take you up the vote. This all of this is what the Dems are voting against. That's
the truth. In German, they call this And in English, it's known as authoritarian overreach. The saved act is unconstitutional, undemocratic, and unamerican. Vote no. Thank you so much. >> Last night, Sanderson country we have
Democrat party now the party of no are responsible for two government shutdowns we're in the middle of one right now the other accomplishments of the Democrat party the mutilation of minors
open borders, noncitizens voting. New York City a number of years ago actually tried to have it legalized. Presidents could vote in New York City elections without
just a theories. They tried it. They will try it again. PSA members not being paid. Long hours for people in airports waiting for flights. some of the racist statements that have come out of Democrat politicians
that in their opinion minorities don't have the intelligence you know very insulting to many people especially to many of the minority people that I taught are smarter than Got males and girls and women's sports
things that the Democrats support. Tampons and school boys restroom tampons. Heard him say that the illegals commit crimes at about the same rate as citizens. I don't want to hear that garbage. It wasn't here. that crime wouldn't have
been committed. About a week ago in Chicago, we had young woman Sher Sheron Gorman, 18year-old student at Leon, excuse me, Lyola University, taking a walk on Lake Front Pack, which
Governor Pritsker has said, "What a beautiful safe place this is." Murdered by an illegal Jose Medina Medina, older woman in Chicago Maria hadn't statement about this was was in the
wrong place at the wrong my feeling is I think you're right wrong place Illinois wrong time 2026 it seems the wrong place is almost any
place where the Democrats are trusting people that hate America I for one love America You're just teaching with the bison channel. for office. Um, a speech that I wrote, you know, I don't
even want to read it because it it it talks about being complicit and being silent and things that are lies that come out of our administration's mouths and the and the illegal things they do. And if we just sit back and let it
happen, our country is not going to make it to 250. If we do, um, I I I don't feel like a proud American anymore. I know that gives this other side, well, he's just a a Democrat and he hates our
country. No, I don't. I was a Republican for most of my life. I decided to change when I heard out of I listen to Rush Limbo show every day 12:00 to 3 and he went away for 3 months. He went into
recovery for ill issues, came back and he continued to call those long-haired, dope smoking, maggotinfested hippies. So all of a sudden he was better. He was an addict and yet he was better than a pot smoker.
So I just saw the hypocrisy in the Republican party. Doesn't mean I don't love my country. I do love my country, but I but I can't stand and uh immigrants that are in these prisons,
these so-called prisons. They wanted to make the Roxberry uh uh warehouse that is designed with four toilets to house like 2,000 people. I sure wouldn't want to be in a place like that. I don't want to have to do my
business in a bucket or with 50 people in a in a cell. That's not the America I want. So all we want is just I if if if there's a I'm not saying I agree with everything that that the Democrats have
done. They made a lot of mistakes as far as I'm concerned. Republicans are making a lot of mistakes. >> So I just want [clears throat] the country to be something that I can be proud of,
a kinder country. If I go to I I always go to Costa Rica in the winter. You know, this winter I didn't go. I didn't want to go down there because I wasn't feeling the love from the people last winter. And I guarantee I'm I wouldn't be feeling it this winter. I'm not going
on a trip to Canada. Canada doesn't really like Americans anymore. How about Mexico? How about any country in South America except Costa Rica? wouldn't go on a trip to El Salvador or or Panama because I have a feeling they don't like
us very much up here for the way we're treating them. I don't want to go on a vacation and all of a sudden I'm the immigrant that got locked up in a prison. Good evening. Everyone can hear me. My name is Patricia Heeny. I'm from Lafayette.
Last week, Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old freshman college student, was shot and killed on a pier in Chicago with her friends at 1:30 a.m. while looking at the northern lights. Sheridan was a beautiful young college
freshman just a few months away from graduating. Her shooter was arrested and charged with murder. His name is Jose Medina Medina, a 25-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela.
Jose was apprehended by Border Patrol on May 9th of 2023 and was released into our country under the Biden regime. Again, on June 19th of 2023, Jose was arrested and released for
shoplifting in Chicago. Chicago is a sanctuary state just like New Jersey. Twice, Jose returned to his country, but because of sanctuary state laws, he remained in Chicago.
Mayor Johnson of Chicago is putting the lives of illegals over the lives of American citizens. When Jose approached the group of college students, he had a gun, which was illegal. As the girls ran away, he
shot Sheridan in the back. The bullet exited her neck, died at the scene. The bullet casing and video surveillance records were used to identify Jose. This time, he will not be released, but
Jose's capture is too late for Sheridan. She's gone, and her family and friends are devastated. This murder was totally avoidable. Sheridan Gorman from Yorktown Heights,
New York, not far from here. How many people have you seen protesting to keep the illegals in our country? Think about it. Do you really want violent illegals here in our If you enter our country illegally, you have already committed a
crime. I hope and pray that no one will ever have to go through a situation like this. But remember, New Jersey is a sanctuary state. I think that all illegals should be deported. We should protect all American citizens,
proper and legal immigration, and complete vetting for anyone who we allow to enter our United States of America is necessary. And for everyone who says that all these illegals should stay here, why don't you put them in your home? Put them in your basement, in your heated in your heated garage. Put them
in your spare room. Put them in there with your kids and your grandkids. Let them stay at your home. Then you can see what they eat. You can see the temperature they live at. >> Thank you very much for your time. >> Motion to close the floor. Andy Pender, Freeden Township. I had a
difficult time deciding how to use my three minutes tonight. There are so many important things happening right now and so many distractions. By design, as this administration wants to keep citizens, what the hell is coming next?
going to use my time to plug the no kings rally this Saturday on the Newton 11 a.m. Despite your executive session and your resolution, there will be resource tables, camaraderie, shared purpose and joy. This is the beauty of our country.
Everyday citizens, despite their social or economic standing, can voice by using their first amendment. They can join collectively to steer their country in a better direction through action and free speech. Are a peaceful and welcoming group. If
you have questions, are genuinely curious or want to learn more, I encourage you to join us. There are so many reasons to attend. If you believe in and enjoy the right to free and fair elections,
that we should be governed by three co-equal branches that place checks on one another. If you believe in the rule of law and that no one, not even the president, is above the law. If you believe in the humane treatment of other humans, whe
our own citizens, if you believe in environmental responsibility and stewardship, if you believe in building a better future for our children and our young people, finally, if you believe in the responsible use of our armed forces,
if you believe in even just one of these things I just listed, please join us on the green and show your support. Ours will be one of close to 3,000 events planned nationwide. No one person can do all things, but
collectively we can move the needle. If you're not a fan of accountability or rule of law, or you don't like decency or integrity in leadership, probably best that you stay home. If you're not interested in voting in future elections
or having a decent, habitable planet to live on, again, it may be best that you stay home. My hope though is that people will not stay home. My hope is that there will be a giant turnout nationwide as action is the antidote to chaos and hopelessness.
We hope to see you on the green. And if this is your first rally, we welcome you. Welcome your positive attitude and energy. We are always up for meeting new people, having productive discussions, and finding friendship in collective
action. Go Kings, this Saturday, Newton Green, 11:00 a.m. No Kings, this Saturday, Newton Green, 11 a.m. Anyone else? Can I get a motion to close the floor
for public comment and return to regular business? So moved. Second. >> Okay, Commissioner Henderson and a second from Commissioner Silverthornne. Any discussion? All in favor? I post abstain. Number 23, reminders. Please check the county's website at www.sussex.nj.
us for meeting schedules. Uh number 25, adjournment. Can I get a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> Commissioner Henderson. A second. Deputy Director Degrroot. Any discussion? All in favor? I >> meeting is closed. What time is it?
>> Uh 711. >> Oh, 8 811. >> 83. >> 8:13. >> My phone looking at that clock.