Ocean County officials are urging the State of New Jersey to improve transparency and accountability in the management of the 9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund. Local leaders argue that continued diversion of these funds has resulted in local taxpayers bearing the costs for vital emergency communications services.
The state introduced a monthly surcharge of 90 cents on every phone line in 2004, which was intended exclusively for upgrading and maintaining emergency response systems. However, an amendment made in 2013 expanded how the trust fund could be used, permitting its application to a range of state-level emergency response activities such as capital projects, training, and operations.
According to Ocean County officials, they have only received grants from this fund three times over the past 21 years, with their allocation for 2025 reduced by half. Commissioner Robert S. Arace, who is leading the county’s advocacy on this issue, said, “County and municipal governments are required to follow strict rules and transparency standards when managing dedicated funds, and the State should be held to the same standard. On an annual basis, 90% of the collected funds are diverted to the general fund. That’s roughly $120 million annually.”
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has repeatedly cited New Jersey as one of the worst states in diverting public safety funds meant for emergency services. As a result, counties and municipalities often use property tax revenue to maintain and modernize their 9-1-1 systems—an expense that many believe should not fall on local taxpayers.
Commissioner Arace stated: “New Jersey residents have paid into this fund for years with the expectation that their money would strengthen lifesaving 9-1-1 services. Instead, it’s been used to balance the state’s books, leaving counties and municipalities to cover the cost. Ocean County is demanding that these funds be returned to their intended purpose, to protect the public and support the first responders who answer the call every day.”
Commissioner Frank Sadeghi noted: “For too long, local governments have been left without the resources we were promised. This misuse has created inequity between the state and its counties and placed an unfair financial strain on residents.”
Commissioner Virginia E. Haines added: “When state funds are withheld or misused, the burden always falls on the local taxpayer. Ocean County residents deserve to see their money reinvested into public safety right here at home.”
Commissioner Jennifier Bacchione emphasized: “Every day, our dispatchers and first responders rely on technology that must be dependable and up to date. When state leaders divert these funds, they are not just taking dollars away from counties, they are putting public safety at risk. Ocean County is standing up for the residents who expect accountability and for the emergency professionals who keep them safe.”
County leaders are calling on state officials to stop diverting money from the 9-1-1 Trust Fund and create a process so counties and municipalities can receive direct support for maintaining emergency communications infrastructure. They say that because local governments operate most public safety answering points in New Jersey, they are best equipped to manage these resources effectively.
In a joint statement from all Commissioners: “This is not simply an oversight; it is a blatant misuse of taxpayer dollars. Every dollar collected is meant to protect lives and strengthen emergency services, yet the current system forces counties into reactive, not responsible, budgeting. This is unacceptable and a direct failure of fiscal stewardship. This Board is taking a firm stance. We demand accountability, transparency, and the proper, responsible allocation of these critical funds now.”
