Essex County introduces $20M temporary capital budget, advances bond ordinances and a new EV‑charging enforcement fine

Hussam (Hassan) Mohammed, Essex County treasurer, presented Resolution 1 to authorize the 2024 temporary capital budget and described the county’s annual $20,000,000 authorization for capital projects. “Resolution number 1, to authorize the 2024 temporary capital budget, which is the plan for, all the capital projects for 2024. This is the committed $20,000,000 what we authorize every year,” Mohammed said.

Mohammed and staff then introduced bond ordinances that would fund various capital improvements. For example, Bond Ordinance No. 1 provides for capital improvements with an appropriation of $16,300,000 and authorization of $15,485,000 in bonds and notes for parks, public works, highways and county buildings.

The board also considered an ordinance to enforce parking at electric‑vehicle charging stations. County counsel noted the ordinance was drafted with County Council input; the ordinance establishes a $50 fine for electric vehicles remaining parked after charging completes and a $100 fine for non‑electric vehicles occupying designated charging spots. County staff told commissioners the county currently has 22 locations and 53 charging stations.

Separately, the board introduced the 2024 county budget; Treasurer Mohammed said the county executive’s announced tax‑levy increase for 2024 is 1.75 percent and staff described routine budget hearings and department‑by‑department review. Commissioners asked how the county’s share and state matches interact for certain bond items, and Mohammed clarified that the county share for some county‑college improvements is part of the $20 million while state match funding would be outside that cap.

Motions to introduce the ordinances and to move the temporary budget and bond items were made and approved on roll call.