Mike Beson Reports Monmouth County Commisisoners Illegal Raises 

Ocean Township – Monmouth County Commissioner candidate, Mike Beson, formally reported the Monmouth County Commissioners’ illegal January 2020 pay increases to the New Jersey Acting Comptroller, Kevin Walsh.

In 2020, the Monmouth County Commissioners secretly gave themselves a 28% raise without publicly approving the salary increase.

“Instead of trying to cut excess costs and decrease our property tax burden during an economic public and health crisis, the County Commissioners – hoping no one was paying attention – increased their own salaries. To bring light to this backroom deal, its blatant violation of the county’s administrative code and its shocking mismanagement of taxpayer funds during a public health emergency, I’ve submitted a formal complaint to the NJ Comptroller to look into this matter,” said Mike Beson, candidate for Monmouth County Commissioner.

In January of 2020, the Monmouth County Commissioners, including Sue Kiley, secretly gave themselves a 28% raise without publicly approving the salary increase.

In the report, Mike Beson highlighted Monmouth County’s own administrative code which states:  “Any change to the amount of salary or other compensation paid to any member of the Board or the Director shall be made by resolution.” Monmouth County Administrative Code 2-9.

“In this case, the County Commissioners were only exposed because of excellent reporting by the Asbury Park Press. With a budget of $550 million, the Commissioners are making deals in the dark to benefit themselves. The one party rule in this county has got to end. If elected, I will shine light on the Commissioners,” said Mike Beson, candidate for Monmouth County Commissioner.

The NJ State Comptroller’s office investigates and audits county governments for illegal action.

April 14, 2020

Acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh

Office of State Comptroller

PO Box 024

Trenton, NJ 08625

Dear Acting Comptroller Walsh,

I am writing to you as a citizen in Monmouth County who is troubled by recent actions taken by the Monmouth County’s Board of Commissioners. Briefly stated, several days ago it was reported that the Board of Commissioners secretly raised their salaries beginning in January 2020 by approximately 28%. It appears that this increase was instituted without any public input, as there is no indication of a public vote or passing of a resolution to approve these significant pay increases.

The Asbury Park Press report that broke the story can be found here.

The County maintains that, according to the County Counsel’s interpretation, the normal process for passing resolution is not necessary for pay increases. It appears that this view is not shared by most experts or commentators and it utterly fails the common sense test. A quick review of the county administrative code makes this abundantly clear.

“Any change to the amount of salary or other compensation paid to any member of the Board or the Director shall be made by resolution.” Monmouth County Administrative Code 2-9. Under normal circumstances, a proposed resolution would be subject to introduction and approval as well as advertising and a public hearing prior to adoption. See N.J.S.A 40:20-72; N.J.S.A. 40A:4-4.

The Board has conveniently taken a position that conspicuously avoids such public scrutiny and accountability for their actions. A position, at odds with previous practice. As noted by former Freeholder Serena DiMaso, the Board was advised extensively by then County Counsel Andrea Marshall in 2015 that the proper process for approving salary increases was through the approval of a resolution. The law and expert consensus is clear that such raises can only be approved via resolution. Therefore, the burden must be put on the Board to provide the justification for their actions rather than expecting their constituents to take them at their word.

The events of recents years, both in this state and nationally, have made it exceedingly clear how crucial transparency and accountability are to effective and trustworthy government.

This is why I am humbly asking you to investigate the manner in which the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners instituted these pay rises. It is imperative that the residents of Monmouth County know where the money for these increases came from, that they are given a full and proper opportunity to publicly comment on the proposal, and that the Board of Commissioners understands the appropriate process and procedural requirements before authorizing such increases in the future.

Sincerely,

Mike Beson

###