Bergen County Board of Commissioners

Tanelli
Vice-Chairwoman Tracy Silna Zur
Chair Pro Tempore Dr. Joan M. Voss
Commissioner Mary J. Amoroso
Commissioner Ramon Hache
Commissioner Germaine M. Ortiz
Commissioner Thomas J. Sullivan

Q: What is a Commissioner? A: A Commissioner is a legislator on the county level. Bergen County has a unique form of government. Along with the other 20 counties in New Jersey, we have a Board of Commissione

rs. The County Executive handles the day-to-day operations of Bergen County, appointing the county department heads and overseeing the activities of all departments and divisions. The Board approves all contracts signed by the Executive. It also sets policy under the administrative code authored by the Freeholders. The code, adopted April 3, 1987, reorganized Bergen County’s 304-year-old form of government and established the eight county departments that we use today. The seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected at-large to three-year staggered terms. They take office early in January, following the November election. Q: What are the duties of the Commissioners? A: The Commissioners act as the county’s legislative body, much as the U.S. Congress or the State Legislature, giving advice and consent to the actions of the County Executive. The Board provides a check on the Executive’s powers and acts as a formulator of policy. Its powers include the ability to: adopt the county’s administrative code, pass ordinances and resolutions, review, modify and adopt operating and capital budgets, and contract with municipalities. The Board of Commissioners studies and evaluates the county’s annual budget before approving it. The Commissioners oversee the provision of funds for the eight county departments. They also supervise the funds for Bergen Community College, the Bergen County Special Services School District, Bergen County Technical Schools, the Bergen County Jail and Police Department, the County Parks, roads and bridges. Q: When do the Commissioners meet? A: The Board of Commissioners meets on the first three Wednesdays of the month at 5 p.m. for work sessions in the Commissioner Conference Room. Public meetings are held the first and third Wednesday of each month in the Commissioner Public Meeting Room at 8 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend the work sessions, but may actively participate only at the public meetings