The Passaic County Board of County Commissioners adopts an annual budget supporting vital programs, operations, and investments in our local infrastructure. This includes maintaining, repairing, and repaving 533 lane miles of roadways, 350 bridges and culverts, and the Passaic County Park System. The budget funds critical programs that provide a social safety net to our most vulnerable citizens, including the operation of Preakness Healthcare Center, veteran programs, and Meals on Wheels food delivery to homebound seniors.

Each year, the 34 Departments submit a budget request to the Passaic County Administrator for review. Thereafter, meetings are held with each Department Director to justify spending requests and ensure proper management of tax dollars and government programs. The requests are considered by the Budget Committee and referred to the Board of County Commissioners for introduction. A public hearing is held thirty days after the introduction of the budget where residents can speak on the record prior to its adoption. Finally, after the budget is approved by the State of New Jersey, it is considered by the Board of County Commissioners.

In 2019, Standard & Poor’s upgraded the County’s bond rating because of its strong budgetary practices, noting the County’s initiatives to proactively increase reserves to manage volatile expense line items, low overall net debt, and strong management practices and policies.