Staff Reduction Plan to Save County $2.2M, Freeholders Say

The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders says it's achieving big savings—$2.2 million worth—for county taxpayers through restructuring salaries and benefit packages for Morris employees. Last week, the body announced a plan that, along with its zero percent tax increase for the $311.1 million 2014 budget, will manifest savings by the end of the year, NJ.com reported. 

The freeholders' budget committee said some position losses won't involve layoffs or union negotiations—12 full-time and 12 part-time positions will be eliminated gradually through employees opting to retire. Additionally, on Dec. 1, the plan will merge Morris County's planning and public works departments, the article said.

Freeholder Hank Lyon said the plan to reduce the size of county government will allow the freeholders to maintain the present level of services at a lower cost. And his colleague John Krickus said the freeholder board is considering other money-saving measures, including outsourcing workers and establishing an “incentive” program to give workers a bonus if they come up with ways to save.