The $91.8 million spending plan includes plans for a new library location and courthouse repairs.
Warren County's $91.8 million spending plan for 2017 provides for a new library location and continued courthouse repairs without any added impact to taxpayers.
The annual budget -- the county's lowest since 2005 -- was unanimously approved by the three-member freeholder board this week.
Spending is reduced by about $9.3 million from the previous year due to a change in a state pension regulations, the budget document says (the full budget is available on the county's website here).
The $71.7 million tax levy on the county's approximately 107,000 residents is equal to last year. Freeholder Director Rick Gardner, who is up for re-election, noted in the budget's introduction that "this is financially prudent" as the county has lost more than $3 billion in taxable revenue since 2008.
"New county revenue sources are virtually flat, so it is imperative that we maximize the efficient use of taxpayers' money to the greatest extent possible," he wrote, specifically citing the development-limiting impact of the 2004 Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act.
Two projects singled out in the budget's highlights are the development of a new southwest branch of the county library system and replacing the courthouse roof in Belvidere.
'Phillipsburg vs. the county' on library move
The $6.1 million library project was controversial when introduced last year. Under the plan, the library branch now at the county technical school will be moved to a new location in Greenwich Township. However, it would cut off county funding for the independent library in Phillipsburg.
The courthouse work is the next step in a series of renovations to the nearly 200-year-old building. The 2017 budget says nearly the entire roof will be redone, and "a new secure entry and exit ... is planned for the near future." A refreshing of the weathered exterior was completed last fall, totaling about $370,000.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.