Burlington County Freeholders Unanimously Approve 'Double Dipping Ban'

The Burlington County Freeholders have unanimously approved legislation that prevents the county’s government from hiring anyone who is already collecting a publicly-funded pension, nj.com reports.

The so-called “double-dipping ban” means anyone who wants to work in Burlington County government would have to put a hold on their pension payments as long as they work for the county government, according to the report.

Current employees and those with military pensions wouldn’t be affected by the ban, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the state, according to the report.

The ban was proposed by Republican Freeholder Latham Tiver earlier this month.

The move drew criticism from those who believed the ban was politically motivated, but Tiver called it a “common sense policy.”

Republicans have labeled Democratic candidate for Sheriff Jim Kostopolis as a “double dipper.”

Kostopolis has an $88,491 police pension. The sheriff’s position offers a $120,000 salary.

Kostopolis is challenging Republican Sheriff Jean Stanfield in the Nov. 8 election.

Kostopolis told the Trentonian there was no doubt in his mind it was “political grandstanding.” He also said he was unsure if the ban would apply to him since he would be an elected official.