Burlington County Makes Switch From Freeholders To Commissioners

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — A new year has brought with it a welcome change for many Burlington County officials.

During Wednesday night’s reorganization meeting, the top officials in Burlington County went by the title “commissioners,” rather than “freeholders,” following a change in state law that was approved last year.

“While the name of our title has changed, our responsibilities have not,” Felicia Hopson said following her unanimous selection as the Burlington County Director for 2021. “As the Burlington County Board of County Commissioners, we represent you. Our mission is to deliver responsible government for all 450,000 people who call Burlington County home.”

Hopson also served as Board Director in 2020, making her the last Freeholder Director in the County’s history and the first Commissioner Director.

She was also a leading voice in the movement to change the term "freeholder," an Old English term dating back to before the American Revolution to denote a person who owns land and is free of debt, which was a requirement to hold public office. At the time, only white men could own property and serve. Read more here: Burlington County To Consider Ending Use Of Term ‘Freeholder’

The law does not change how the board is elected or operates, nor does it affect its responsibilities or authority. The change in title does not affect the elective terms of the board's members.

“Responsible government means being good stewards with tax dollars,” Hopson said. “And I am incredibly proud of the job we’ve done managing our county finances and making sure we don’t overburden our taxpayers. But I’m even prouder that we succeeded in doing that while still responding to our residents’ needs, especially with all the challenges we faced from COVID-19.”

See related: Burlington County Replacing Term ‘Freeholder’ With ‘Commissioner’

During the organizational meeting, Commissioner Dan O’Connell was selected to serve as the Board’s Deputy Director, and Commissioners Tom Pullion and Balvir Singh were sworn-in for new terms on the five-member governing body.

Assemblyman Herb Conaway (D-7) administered the oath to Pullion. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3) administered the oath to Singh. New Jersey Senator Troy Singleton (D-7) swore-in both Hopson and O’Connell to their leadership posts.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also participated in the virtual meeting, delivering a pre-recorded message that marked the start of a new year and the switch to the Board’s new title.

“Today the hard work of governing is renewed, and I know Burlington County will continue to be in good hands,” Murphy said in his message. “The beginning of a new year is the opportunity to set our sights on the future and leave behind the mistakes of the past. And in that spirit, it feels good to use the title ‘commissioner’, just as it does to see the diversity of our state reflected across public offices everywhere.”