Once again, the issue of merging the Bergen County Police and the Bergen County Sheriff’s department is making headlines. ( Star Ledger and.or Bergen Record)
While the other counties in New Jersey long ago sought to reduce such redundancy to achieve financial savings and lessen the tax burden – Bergen County continues to struggle with the issue.
According to the Tax Foundation, New Jersey counties hold 6 of the 10 top spots for the having the highest property taxes in America; Bergen County ranks 6th in the nation for the highest property taxes.
Unlike Hunterdon County, which is ranked as one of the top ten wealthiest counties in the nation – Bergen County does not make the top ten in of that list.
The fact that the Board of Chosen Freeholders is, once again, moving forward with a proposal to reduce redundancy in county law enforcement should offer a glimmer of hope – but a glimmer at best.
The proposal put forth on Wednesday September 18th, 2013 is a compromise of what has already been proposed. While Freeholder Ganz originally suggested that the 2011 Guidepost study should be thrown “in the garabage can”, he apparently has not taken out the trash in the last couple of years.
The new proposal in 2013 relies on the same conclusions originally proposed in 2011, with the addition of compromises meant to appease involved parties. The strategy of appeasement appears to hold some success here, as it is believed the the freeholders now have the votes needed to overcome a veto from County Executive Donovan
According to the report, “The Democratic Freeholders conducted nearly 50 professional interviews…examined findings in the GuidepostReport, findings in the Bergen County Law Enforcement Consolidation Task Force and the 1990’s Buracker Report.” ( findings from the “Listening Tour” were not included)
The 2011 Guidepost study offered an aggressive analysis of how Bergen County could improve efficiency. The new 2013 proposal is more limited, and basically offers less of the same.
A differential in salaries and operating costs indicates that the Sheriff’s department is the better economic deal, and a lateral move of employees under that bargaining contract would provide future savings in terms of staffing.
The re-introduction of yet another merger proposal offers some hope, but the long and bruising battle displays a lack of leadership. If Bergen County cannot achieve simple cost saving measures by merging two county law enforcement agencies, how can the concept of “shared services”, “consolidation” or “mergers” be considered viable options on the local level?
The cost savings associated with the merger of the Bergen County Police and the Bergen County Sheriff are significant, and could be even more substantial should the county proceed with implementing other suggestions offered in the 2011 Guidepost study.
Just as importantly, this process should act as an example of leadership to the local communities that must begin to address the reality of expenses and the need for more shared services, more consolidation.
History can often be a guidepost to the future – and 100 years ago the cities of Salem and Winston faced challenges that many NJ municipalities face today – the issue of identity, history and purpose.
On a cold December night in 1912, J.L. Ludow spoke before an audience of 200 businessmen in an effort to win their support for a merger between the two towns; this became known as the “walled city” speech. He spoke in simple, respectful, and plain language:
“We have grown up and into each other. Our interests have become identical. Our aims and purposes are the same….whatever the cause or reason, a great fence seems to have been erected between the two communities and has persisted in staying erected”
Mergers and consolidations might not be the answer for many financial ills, but New Jersey has too many fences, too many walls. We have fences within state government, within county government, and between neighboring local governments.
Some might rely on the old farmer philosophy that, “Good fences make good neighbors”, and that’s a legitimate argument…if you can afford to keep it up.
Submitted by Charles McCormick
Links:
2013 Freeholder Proposal
http://media.nj.com/bergen_impact/other/dem-freeholders-consolidation-plan-small.pdf
2011 GuidePost Reports
http://dng.northjersey.com/media_server/tr/2011/05/17report/BergenReportFinal.pdf