The Burlington County Commissioners have approved the 2025 county budget, aiming to keep taxes low while maintaining essential services. The $271 million plan was passed unanimously and includes continued funding for open space and farmland preservation.
Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson stated, “Budgets are about values and choices. This spending plan reflects our Board’s priorities and commitment to preserving Burlington County’s health, safety and quality of life. The 2025 budget delivers services essential to working families, seniors and vulnerable residents but continues our record of affordability during this chaotic economic climate.”
County officials highlighted that the new budget reduces overall spending by $41 million compared to the previous year. It is expected to maintain Burlington County’s position as having the lowest average county tax in New Jersey. According to property tax data from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Burlington County has held this distinction each year since 2019.
The cost per resident for county operations is projected at $406, which remains lower than any other county in the state. Essex County follows at $498 per resident.
“We are confident this budget will continue our streak of having the lowest average county tax and the lowest cost per resident. At the same time, the plan makes investments in our workforce, infrastructure and essential programs,” Hopson added. “It’s never easy and the task is even more challenging with the nonsense occurring in Washington and the uncertainty being created across the national and global economy.”
A key part of the budget is a $5 million reserve for Municipal Parks Development Grants. These grants help towns acquire or improve parks and recreation areas or preserve open space without requiring a local match. All 40 municipalities within Burlington County are eligible for grants up to $250,000 each.
Hopson said, “The last time we offered these grants was in 2020 when we awarded a record-high $5.2 million to 38 towns for projects ranging from new local trails and playground equipment to restrooms, landscaping and even boat ramps. The grants ensure all towns benefit from the county’s open space tax, and not just those in the farm belt or with substantial open space. It makes money available for land preservation and park enhancements without borrowing or raising local property taxes.”
The open space tax rate will remain at 3.5 cents per $100 of value, generating an estimated $22.4 million for farmland preservation, park improvements, trails, cultural programs, art initiatives, history projects, nature activities, fitness programs and more.
Burlington County has already preserved over 63,000 acres of farmland—ranking first in New Jersey—and has made offers on ten additional farms totaling more than 1,400 acres over the past year. The county is also planning further preservation efforts along waterways such as Rancocas Creek and Delaware River as well as creating about 50 miles of new regional trails through several townships including Mount Laurel, Moorestown and Evesham.
According to its official website, Burlington County covers an area of 827 square miles—the largest by area in New Jersey—and includes three cities among its forty political subdivisions.
For operating expenses in 2025, there will be a $202 million tax levy compliant with state caps while supporting existing staff levels. Increases include $3.7 million more for salaries due mainly to contractual raises; a $3.1 million rise in worker health benefits; an additional $3 million for debt service; a $1 million increase toward employee pensions; another $1 million for costs related to state psychiatric hospital care; plus an extra $500,000 for liability insurance.
Essential programs such as senior assistance services—including housing or food support—will continue under this budget plan alongside ongoing support for educational institutions like Rowan College at Burlington County as well as technical schools within the region.
The spending plan also allocates funds needed to maintain over 500 miles of highways plus hundreds of bridges throughout Burlington County—a region that features sites like Historic Smithville Park according to its official website.
To balance expenditures with reserves, officials intend to use $13.5 million from last year’s fund balance while expecting end-of-year reserves above $20 million.
“Responsibly managing our finances has been a hallmark of our administration and we continue to prioritize sound planning and cost controls,” said Hopson. “In an uncertain national and global economy, our board has once again delivered a County budget that prudently invests in services for Burlington County residents and delivers the most efficient county government in New Jersey.”
