Mercer Co. Presents 2025 Budget: Here’s How It’ll Affect You

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — County Executive Dan Benson delivered his 2025 Budget Address to the County Board of Commissioners on Thursday, outlining a $420,116,994.83 proposal that decreases the overall County tax rate by more than 6 percent.

The budget maintains essential County services while navigating rising costs, lingering financial challenges, and the coming impact of federal funding cuts.

"We were left with a big financial mess by the previous administration, and we're still cleaning it up," Benson stated. "But we need to take a different approach from what they're doing on the federal level and continue to put our community first."

Despite facing inflation, rising healthcare costs, and increased expenses for juvenile detention, the budget limits non-grant spending growth to under 2 percent, even while absorbing $16 million in additional employee compensation costs. Benson cautioned that individual municipal tax impacts remain uncertain despite the rate reduction.

“While lean, this budget ensures we can continue to provide the County’s essential services without jeopardizing our future,” Benson said. “We’re tightening our belts everywhere we can.”

The administration has implemented various cost-saving measures, including consolidating staff into County-owned facilities and maintaining select position vacancies.

Benson acknowledged that “the uncertainty and chaos in Washington are already impacting us here in Mercer County.” Although direct federal funds account for less than 2 percent of the total County budget, cuts to public health, Medicaid, infrastructure spending, job training, and social services will all impact Mercer and its residents, and may lead to difficult decisions in the future.

Since taking office, Benson's team has completed four audits, implemented new financial management software, and recovered $400,000 in unclaimed state funds.

“We’ve updated our accounting procedures and fixed many of the areas flagged in the 2023 audit that detailed the prior administration’s poor fiscal practices,” Benson said. “Throughout this process we’ve been transparent with the ratings agencies about the steps we’re taking to stabilize our finances… I’m proud to say that the outlook from ratings agencies continues to be stable.”

Despite fiscal challenges, Benson highlighted several major infrastructure initiatives his administration continues to advance, including renovations to the Trenton Thunder ballpark, modernization of Trenton-Mercer Airport, reconstruction of the Lincoln Avenue Bridge, and revitalization of the South Broad Street corridor.

The County will also maintain its commitment to environmental preservation through the Open Space Trust Fund and plans to launch a grant program for municipalities and nonprofits to enhance Mercer's trail network.

"These ambitious projects are just the beginning—and I'm excited to watch our shared vision of Mercer's future being made real, brick by brick," Benson stated.

He emphasized new cost-saving partnerships with local municipalities, including coordinated HAZMAT response services, emergency communications system upgrades, the Municipal Assistance Road Resurfacing Program, and additional shared projects planned for the coming year.

"Our community expects results, and we are going to live up to those expectations. There's still work to do, but together we will make County Government work for everyone," Benson concluded.

Mercer County Board of Commissioners Chair Kristin McLaughlin pledged to work closely with the administration on a responsible budget that maintains essential services, while Vice-Chair Terrance Stokes expressed encouragement that the introduced budget is $5,000,000 lower than the 2024 adopted budget.

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