Bergen County Board of Commissioners
REMINDER
The work session of Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 is cancelled.
The next work session will be conducted on:
Wednesday, December 18th, 2024
WORK SESSION – 4:30PM – SINE DIE MEETING – Public Meeting Room
All meetings are open to the public.
This is listed as a courtesy and attempt to inform the public of actions being considered by the Board of County Commissioners. There may be additions and deletions prior to the Board taking final action. Any action may be taken at any meeting, which includes all work and public sessions.
Schedule(s):
Agendas & Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
Most Recent Agenda | View All Agendas and Minutes
Members
The seven members of the Bergen County Board of County Commissioners are elected at-large to three-year, staggered terms. They take office early in January, following the November election.
| Commissioner | Title | Hometown |
|---|---|---|
| Germaine M. Ortiz | Chairwoman | Emerson |
| Mary J. Amoroso | Vice Chairwoman | Mahwah |
| Dr. Joan M. Voss | Chair Pro Tempore | Fort Lee |
| Rafael Marte | Commissioner | Bergenfield |
| Thomas J. Sullivan | Commissioner | Montvale |
| Steven A. Tanelli | Commissioner | North Arlington |
| Tracy S. Zur | Commissioner | Franklin Lakes |
Functions of the Board
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 Commissioners.
County Executive
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.
Administrative Code
The board sets policy under the Administrative Code authored by the commissioners. The code, adopted April 3, 1987, reorganized Bergen County’s 304 year-old freeholder form of government and established the eight county departments that we use today.
Duties of the Legislative Body
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
- Contract with municipalities
Finances
- Study and evaluate the county’s annual budget before approving it
- Oversee the provision of funds for the nine county departments including Bergen Regional Medical Center
- Supervise the funds for:
- Bergen Community College
- Bergen County Special Services School District
- Bergen County Technical Schools
- Bergen County Jail and Police Department
- County parks, roads, and bridges