County: Dozens of Layoffs Coming if Sheriff Doesn't Fix Contracts

More than two dozen Morris County Sheriff’s Office employees could be laid off over the next three years if the division’s leader, Sheriff Edward Rochford, does not renegotiate contracts with the labor unions representing his work force.

The Morris County Board of Freeholders, along with county administrator John Bonanni, sent a letter this week to Rochford explaining that the previously negotiated pay raises approved by the sheriff are not tenable, and would result in layoffs in each of the next three years.

The letter stated a projection of 16 full time staff members would be eliminated in 2016; 11 in 2017; and at least 1 in 2018.

In recent negotiations, despite Governor Chris Christie’s imposed two-percent tax cap, Rochford has negotiated pay increases between 25 and 31 percent over the next three years to the Morris County Policemen’s Benevolent Association, Local 151; Morris County Policemen’s Benevolent Association, PBA 151 Superior Officers Associations; Sheriff’s Investigators; and Sheriff’s Civilians.

If the raises go through, the 2016 county budget would see a $905,767 shortfall, followed by a 2017 shortfall of $1.3 million.

There are approximately 130 employees in the Sheriff’s division.