Park System Housing Report: Discounted Rent For Rangers Saves Taxpayers $870K
By Bill Bucco
Thursday night the Monmouth County Freeholders held their second regular meeting of January. The topic that received a lot of attention towards the end of the meeting was the release of the Park Housing Report.
This report was released to the public Thursday night at the Freeholder meeting with information regarding the living situation of the Park Rangers and cost to the county. The rangers who are county employees in fact do pay rent for the house that they live in, but at a discounted rate of 37% based on the market value which results in $181,102.00 in discounts for homes on county park property. Currently there are 27 units occupied by employees and 5 that were recently occupied and now are scheduled for demolition.
It is important to note that the rangers that live in these homes are on call 24/7 and do not receive any over time pay. There was talk about looking into out sourcing 24 hour security to a private security firm and the report shows that the estimated cost would be $1,051,200.00 a year for the same services they currently receive with the live-in park rangers. With the current system in place, it is saving the tax payers of Monmouth County $870,098.00 annually.
The report states the following:
The results of the report confirms what the Board had believed to be true- that
the program is beneficial and cost effective in meeting its’ intended purpose while
producing savings by-
-protecting park system property and assets;
-providing on-site assistance to the public;
-maintaining an on-site management presence; and
- – assisting in the recruitment of professional staff
It is important to note that the Park Housing Program is directly related and essential to
the performance of the employees official duties with regard to the maintenance of
security of park visitors and County park property that includes the enforcement of Park
rules and regulations the rendering of assistance for the benefit of the health, safety, and
welfare of members for the public; and
It is also important to remember that the Housing Program-
- – operates with revenues exceeding expenses; and
- – is managed efficiently and effectively by continually monitoring costs, reducing the number units, and their distribution
The Committee has recommended that staff continue to review and monitor the housing program annually.
The report goes on in detail on how much each individual pays and how much the county receives in revenue. The revenues are exceeding the expenses!
The only complaint came from a familiar face at the Freeholder meetings, James Martin of Spring Lake Heights. Martin is no stranger to the microphone at any Freeholder meeting, but his attitude is uncalled for. I am all for questioning your public officials on how money is being spent, but Mr. Martin should not choose style over substance in his criticism of the Freeholders. He got up at the podium, in my belief, to just hear himself speak. The substance he was trying to criticize the Freeholders for was flawless. He just liked to hear himself complain. If I had to give him any advice it would be, you catch more bees with honey then you do with vinegar Mr. Martin. To recap, the county is giving out a little bit over $180,000 worth of discounts to those who give the parks 24/7 security and surveillance. He was complaining that the estimated little bit over $1,000,000 outsourcing contract that was under consideration was too much and could get it for less. Really Mr. Martin? Less then $180,000? What world does Mr. Martin live in that everything is for free? If he is willing to protect all the parks in the county the way they are protected now for less then $180,000 yearly, then I am sure the Freeholder Board will gladly take it under consideration, but until he does, or comes in with real, factual alternatives, he should keep his sarcastic and demeaning tone towards the Freeholders to himself.
The park rangers have a responsibility to protect a total of 450 million dollars worth of assets, 15,000 acres, and on average 5 million visitors yearly. The Housing Committee, their staff, and the Board of Chosen Freeholders should be commended for looking out for the tax payers of Monmouth County and at the same making sure our parks are the safest and best places to visit in New Jersey.
Posted: January 30th, 2011 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Monmouth County | Tags: Bill Bucco, Monmouth County, Park System Housing | Comments Off on Park System Housing Report: Discounted Rent For Rangers Saves Taxpayers $870K