Donnelly Touts Promises Made, Promises Kept During Mid-Term Progress Report

By Brandon Umba

Donnelly Touts Promises Made, Promises KeptDuring Mid-Term Progress Report

GOP Freeholder Director says county weathering recession better than most

Mount Holly, August 14, 2009 – Proving that there are, in fact, candidates for public office who keep the promises they make to voters on the campaign trail, Republican Freeholder Director Joe Donnelly today provided Burlington County residents with a mid-term progress report marking his first 20 months in office.

“Two years ago today, I began to outline a comprehensive campaign platform focused on reducing, reinventing and reforming county government,” said Donnelly “Today, less than 21 months into my first term, and in spite of a national recession, I am proud to stand here today and report that we have made significant progress towards our goals. While there is more work to be done, one fact is clear: Promises were made and promises are being kept.”

Donnelly said he was motivated to issue this mid-term progress report, in part, due to a dishonest press release issued by embattled County Democrat Chairman Rick Perr earlier this summer that falsely claimed promises Donnelly made during his successful 2007 campaign were not being kept.

“I wanted to set the record straight before any more lies could be told,” said Donnelly. The campaign promises Donnelly made two years ago today are listed below, along with the progress made on each.

Reduce the County Workforce

On August 14, 2007, candidate Joe Donnelly promised to save county taxpayers $11 million through a hiring freeze for non-critical employees and to reduce the county workforce by an estimated 200 employees.

Since he took office in January of 2008, Freeholder Director Donnelly implemented a hiring freeze of non-critical employees that has resulted in a total workforce reduction of 102 positions, saving property taxpayers $6.2 million in the process.

“We are shrinking the size of government in Burlington County and saving property taxpayers millions of dollars in the process,” said Donnelly. “These savings have allowed us to cut both the property tax rate and the property tax levy two years in a row; one of only two counties in the State to accomplish such a feat. On top of that, we spend fewer tax dollars per person than any other county in the State.”

Promoting Renewable Energy, Cutting Energy Costs

On August 14, 2007, candidate Joe Donnelly promised to save county taxpayers $9 million through the county’s gas-to-energy plan that will turn methane gas into renewable energy and make Burlington County one of the largest producers of “green energy” in the region.

Under Donnelly’s leadership as Freeholder Director, county property taxpayers saved $2 million in 2008, with another $3.3 million projected for 2009 – a total of $5.3 million.

“Burlington County is a leader in promoting green energy and our property taxpayers are saving some green because of it,” said Donnelly. “I am confident that when the economy gets moving again, we will not only meet our goals, but exceed them.”

Reduce the County Car Fleet, Eliminate Take-Home Vehicles

On August 14, 2007, candidate Joe Donnelly promised to save county taxpayers $5 million through reducing the county fleet by 120 vehicles and ending privileges for employees who don’t need cars to do their job.

Since then, Donnelly has eliminated 109 vehicles from the county fleet and saved property taxpayers an estimated $3.4 million on gas, maintenance and insurance costs. In addition, a new policy is being implemented that eliminates take home vehicles for all county employees except key law enforcement and those whose jobs require 24-hour emergency response.

“Use of a county car should be reserved for law enforcement and employees whose job requires them to be on call for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said Donnelly. “Beyond that, there is no legitimate reason for a county employee to be provided with a take-home vehicle courtesy of property taxpayers struggling to make their own car payments.”

Eliminate Half of County-Paid Cell Phones

On August 14, 2007, candidate Joe Donnelly promised to eliminate half of the approximately 300 county-paid cell phones currently in use. The actual number was 325.

Since then, Freeholder Director Donnelly has reduced the number of active cell phones from 325 to 265, with an additional 50 phones likely to be eliminated in the coming weeks. Beyond that promise, Donnelly has implemented countywide telephone system which will save $390,000 per year by the time it is fully operational at the end of 2010.

“Much like we are doing with the county vehicle fleet, the staff and I have been working department heads to determine which employees truly need a cell phone to do their job and which don’t,” said Donnelly. “We have already reduced the number by nearly 20% and will meet our goal of a 50% reduction by the end of next year.”

Strengthen and Expand Ethics Reforms

On August 14, 2007, candidate Joe Donnelly promised to require all county agencies have a code of ethics, update and implement internal controls, mandate ethics training, establish a vendor code of conduct and publish all ethics policies on the county web site.

Since then, all but one of Freeholder Director Donnelly initiatives have been enacted. The Freeholders extended the county’s ethical code of conduct to all county agencies, mandated ethics training throughout county government, gave the county treasurer expanded responsibilities that included internal audits and published all ethics policies on the web site.

“Through these reforms, it is my goal to ensure that the people of Burlington County have faith that their county government is doing the right thing,” said Donnelly. “I am still committed to enacting a vendor code of conduct and will continue to advocate on its behalf to my colleagues on the Freeholder Board.”

Provide Oversight for Independent County Agencies

On August 14, 2007, candidate Joe Donnelly promised to assign an Assistant County Solicitor as Special Counsel responsible for independent county agency oversight, to monitor agency activities, and provide official reports to the Freeholder Board.

Freeholder Director Donnelly made good on that promise by assigning First Assistant County Solicitor Kendall Collins to the duties of Special Counsel and Liaison to the various schools, agencies and commissions whose members are appointed by the Freeholders. At Donnelly’s direction, Collins regularly attends meetings and has issued 84 separate reports to the Freeholder Director and the County Administrator that summarize what occurred at the meetings and alert Donnelly and the County Administrator to any potential issues that may need to be addressed.

“Better communication and improved oversight in regard to these independent agencies has allowed county government to more effectively address issues they encounter and to deal with potential issues proactively, instead of reactively,” said Donnelly. “This was a long overdue reform and I am proud to have implemented it.”

Establish Term Limits

On August 14, 2007, candidate Joe Donnelly promised to enact 12-year term limits for part-time county elected officials and extend it to all part-time boards and commissions.

After learning that state statutes would not permit him to enact a resolution mandating term limits of 12 years for elected or appointed county officials, Freeholder Director Donnelly voluntarily pledged to limit his term to 12 years and strongly encouraged other members of the Freeholder Board to do the same. Additionally, he has pledged to not reappoint any member of a county board or commission who has served 12 years or more.

“Twelve years is more than enough time to make a positive difference on behalf of Burlington County without becoming entrenched or complacent,” said Donnelly. “By limiting terms to 12 years we guarantee fresh ideas and new perspectives to move Burlington County forward in the future, and prevent well-meaning public servants from becoming career politicians.”

Cut Salary in Half, Ban Health & Pension Benefits for Part-Time Public Officials

On August 14, 2007 candidate Joe Donnelly promised to cut his own salary in half, and ban health benefits and pension benefits for County Freeholder and all appointees to part-time boards and commissions.

Despite some Democrat opposition, Freeholder Director Donnelly successfully secured passage of resolutions that reduced freeholder salaries by 50%, in addition to banning health and pension benefits for Freeholders and calling on all part-time boards and commissions appointed by the Freeholders to do likewise.

“If you are in politics for the perks and the money, then maybe you shouldn’t be in politics,” said Donnelly. “In a time of great economic crisis and tough budget decisions, it was only right for the Freeholders to lead by example and practice some self-sacrifice.”

Prohibit Taxpayer-Funded Trips by Freeholders, Tighten Policy for Others

On August 14, 2007, candidate Joe Donnelly promised to ban all paid trips by the Freeholders, and require every other county employee trip be approved directly by the Freeholders.

Freeholder Director Donnelly imposed a ban on all paid trips by Freeholders and required trips by other county employees to gain direct approval from the Freeholders and/or the County Administrator, as their official designee.

“Taxpayers who have had to cancel their own family vacations due to tough economic times shouldn’t have to simultaneously foot the bill for taxpayer-paid junkets by elected officials – even if those trips are worthwhile,” said Donnelly. “Only worthwhile, work-related conferences for county employees will be permitted under this policy. No exceptions.”

Cut the County Property Tax Levy

On August 14, 2007, candidate Joe Donnelly promised to cut the county property tax levy by $25 million over three years by implementing the cost saving measures addressed above.

Prior to Donnelly’s election, the property tax levy had grown by roughly $25 million between 2005 and 2007. Despite an historically bad economic recession, Freeholder Director Donnelly has cut both the county property tax rate and the county property tax levy – making Burlington one of only two counties in the State to accomplish such a feat. The county also spends fewer tax dollars per person than any other county in the State. The bottom line is the Donnelly’s efforts have saved county property taxpayers approximately $15 million in less than two years by reducing the workforce, shrinking the county fleet, cutting freeholder salaries and eliminating benefits, and promoting green energy.

“When I announced my platform in August of 2007, there was no way to predict the economic disaster we would be facing just a year later,” said Donnelly. “However, while other counties have been raising taxes over the last two years, we’ve been cutting them. While other counties are spending more, we’ve been spending less. The fact remains that county residents, on average, pay less in county property taxes today than they did before I was elected. I am proud of that record.”

Donnelly said with more than a year left before his first-term is over, he isn’t done when it comes to cutting property taxes and government spending. Not even close.

“We can cut more, and we will cut more,” said Donnelly. “The first step in doing that is to initiate the 2010 county budget process now. Just because there is an election in November, doesn’t mean the Freeholder Board should take the next few months off and wait to see what happens. We need to get down to business right now and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”

BRANDON UMBA can be reached via email at Brandon.Umba@gmail.com.