By Sunayana Prabhu
FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners held its annual reorganization meeting Tuesday, Jan. 7, once again unanimously selecting commissioner Thomas Arnone to serve as the director of the board for the upcoming year. Arnone is serving his sixth, three-year term on the board and his ninth year as director.
The meeting began with the recognition of various elected officials and veterans, including Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, Prosecutor Raymond Santiago and County Clerk Christine Hanlon.
Commissioner Susan M. Kiley, who won reelection in November for her third, three-year term on the board, was unable to attend due to a recent injury; she was unanimously appointed deputy director for 2025.
Arnone spoke about the county’s achievements over the past year, including the successful launch of the sheriff’s office’s EMS program, which has responded to more than 9,000 calls in several towns, reducing average response times by over a minute. Arnone stressed that this program is not about revenue but about the county’s commitment to public safety and assisting the towns.
Noting the county’s strong financial standing, Arnone said Monmouth is the “only county with a AAA bond rating” in the state.
Arnone pointed out that Monmouth County has been a leader in launching various initiatives such as the Made In Monmouth, Grown In Monmouth and Brewed & Distilled in Monmouth programs, some of which have been emulated by other entities.
However, the county has had to make some “tough decisions sometimes,” said Arnone, referring to the outsourcing of some services to private companies in areas like the county’s care centers, the reclamation center and bridge tenders, in order to put the right people and processes in place to better Monmouth County. “We know as elected officials, and we want you to know, and the people to know, that we will continue that process: smart, diligent decisions that better Monmouth County. That’s what we’re going to continue to do,” said Arnone.
Additionally, Arnone acknowledged the recent commissioning of the USS New Jersey, an event that the county was “very privileged to have” and one that showcased Monmouth County’s role in national events. “We have so much to share with you, and we will continue to make Monmouth County the best place,” Arnone said.
Also getting a mention was the upcoming 250th-anniversary of the nation in 2026. Arnone described the Monmouth County observance as “one heck of a big birthday celebration” that will involve all 53 municipalities in the county.
A State of the County address is scheduled for Feb. 11. The venue for the address is not finalized. County officials will be presenting initiatives planned in the upcoming year in addition to a recap of what has been accomplished in 2024.
The article originally appeared in the January 9 – 15, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
