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Essex County

Essex County is a county in New Jersey. It pays for health and human services, colleges, jails and schools. In 2022, Essex County spent about $833.2M. This is a Census of Governments estimate across all of its funds.

Collected and spent

In 2022, Essex County spent about $833.2M. This is a Census of Governments estimate across all of its funds.

Spent
$833.2M
Fiscal year 2022 · Census of Governments estimate, all funds · spending

Where the money comes from

One tax.

Property tax
$0.3814 per $100 of value
Source · Essex County Board of Taxation, Essex County 2024 Abstract of Ratables — Section 12A. Read on September 28, 2026.
DetailsEssex County 2024 Abstract of Ratables — Section 12A (p.4) Net County Taxes Apportioned (pre-state-aid) $451,435,003.49 plus Section 12-B (p.5) County Open Space Taxes Apportioned $18,479,748.26, divided by the county's total equalized valuation (p.3, "Net Valuation For County Tax Apportionment") $123,198,283,264 = 0.38143% true-value rate (3.814 mills), the same rate for every town in Essex County

Where it goes

Twelve service lines.

Other
$176.5M
Health and human services
$139.9M
Higher education
$100.3M
Corrections
$99.6M
Schools
$87.8M
Public works
$51.6M
Courts
$45.6M
General government
$40.8M
Show all 12 linesShow fewer lines
Police
$40.6M
Debt service · past obligation
$28.2M
Parks and recreation
$18.1M
Transit
$4.0M

Bars in both tables share one scale. Hatched lines pay for past obligations, not current services.

Who decides

A County Executive runs the county's offices. The board makes county laws. It must approve the budget. It can override a veto with 2/3 of its votes. 9 Commissioners. 5 are elected by district and 4 at large.

Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Patricia Sebold
Commissioner, at large
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Romaine Sermons
Commissioner, at large
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Brendan W. Gill
Commissioner, at large
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Wayne L. Richardson
Commissioner, at large
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Robert Mercado
Commissioner, District 1
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
A’Dorian Murray-Thomas
Commissioner, District 2
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Tyshammie L Cooper
Commissioner, District 3
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Leonard M. Luciano
Commissioner, District 4
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Carlos M. Pomares
Commissioner, District 5
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Source · New Jersey Legislature, N.J.S.A. 40:41A-41. Read on October 10, 2026.
DetailsN.J.S.A. 40:41A-41 (Board powers), county executive plan, from the Legislature's official statutes file (STATUTES-TEXT.zip,

When decisions happen

A county introduces its budget by March 31 and adopts it by April 30. The next regular meeting after each date also counts.

Each yearThe county budget year is the calendar year.
Next electionThe next general election is November 3, 2026.
The charter says commissioners are elected each November.

How to reach it

Board of County Commissioners: (973) 621-4486
Phone
Board of County Commissioners, County of Essex, 465 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 558 Hall of Records, Newark, New Jersey 07102
Mailing address
Source · New Jersey Legislature, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-5. Read on October 10, 2026.
DetailsN.J.S.A. 40A:4-5 (introduction) and 40A:4-10 (adoption), Local Budget Law, from the Legislature's official statutes file (STATUTES-TEXT.zip,

Also on this tax bill

An Essex County address pays these governments too. Which school districts and cities apply depends on the address.

On every bill in Essex County

On some bills, depending on the address

School districts: 29. Find yours by address.

Cities: 27. Find yours by address.

Sources

Taxes
Essex County Board of Taxation, Essex County 2024 Abstract of Ratables — Section 12A. Read on September 28, 2026.
DetailsEssex County 2024 Abstract of Ratables — Section 12A (p.4) Net County Taxes Apportioned (pre-state-aid) $451,435,003.49 plus Section 12-B (p.5) County Open Space Taxes Apportioned $18,479,748.26, divided by the county's total equalized valuation (p.3, "Net Valuation For County Tax Apportionment") $123,198,283,264 = 0.38143% true-value rate (3.814 mills), the same rate for every town in Essex County
Who decides
New Jersey Legislature, N.J.S.A. 40:41A-41. Read on October 10, 2026.
DetailsN.J.S.A. 40:41A-41 (Board powers), county executive plan, from the Legislature's official statutes file (STATUTES-TEXT.zip,
When decisions happen
New Jersey Legislature, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-5. Read on October 10, 2026.
DetailsN.J.S.A. 40A:4-5 (introduction) and 40A:4-10 (adoption), Local Budget Law, from the Legislature's official statutes file (STATUTES-TEXT.zip,
How to reach it
Essex County, Essex County Board of County Commissioners, Members. Read on October 10, 2026.
DetailsEssex County Board of County Commissioners, Members (read 2026-10-10)

To act on what you have read

Who Taxes Me describes. These three tools, made by the same team, are where you can do something about it. Each opens in a new tab.