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Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders

Bergen County Freeholders

Public Meetings

  • Live video Stream: Click Here to join the public meeting being held on 7/1/2020 at 7pm via video conference.
  • The Board of Chosen Freeholders hold public meetings on the first and third Wednesday of each month, however sometimes those dates are changed, so please consult the Meeting schedule for up-to-date information on specific meetings.
  • The Public Meetings held by the Board of Chosen Freeholders are held in the Freeholder Public Meeting Room at One Bergen County Plaza.

Work Sessions

  • Work Sessions are held by the Board of Chosen Freeholders every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., however sometimes the date changes so please consult the posted schedule for up-to-date information on specific meetings.
  • The Board of Chosen Freeholders holds Work Sessions in the Freeholder Conference Room at One Bergen County Plaza.

Members of the the public are invited to attend the work sessions, but may actively participate only at the public meetings.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval. 
Most Recent Agenda | View All Agendas and Minutes

Members

The seven members of the Board of Freeholders are elected at-large to three-year, staggered terms. They take office early in January, following the November election.

Freeholder

Title

Hometown
Mary J. Amoroso
Chairwoman
Mahwah
Dr. Joan M. Voss
Vice Chairwoman
Fort Lee
Steven A. Tanelli
Freeholder Chair Pro Tempore
North Arlington
David L. Ganz
Freeholder
Fairlawn
Germaine M. Ortiz
Freeholder
Emerson
Thomas J. Sullivan
Freeholder
Montvale
Tracy S. Zur  
Freeholder
Franklin Lakes

Functions of the Board

A freeholder is a legislator on the county level. Bergen County has a unique form of government. Along with the other 20 counties in New Jersey, we have a Board of Chosen Freeholders. 

  • County Executive

    • The County Executive handles the day-to-day operations of Bergen County, appointing the county department heads and overseeing the activities of all departments and divisions. The board approves all contracts signed by the executive.

  • Administrative Code

    • The board sets policy under the Administrative Code authored by the freeholders. The code, adopted April 3, 1987, reorganized Bergen County's 304 year-old freeholder form of government and established the eight county departments that we use today.

  • Duties of the Legislative Body

    • The Freeholders act as the county's legislative body, much as the U.S. Congress or the State Legislature, giving advice and consent to the actions of the county executive. The board provides a check on the executive's powers and acts as a formulator of policy. Its powers include the ability to: 
      • Adopt the county's administrative code
      • Pass ordinances and resolutions
      • Review, modify, and adopt operating and capital budgets
      • Contract with municipalities

  • Finances

    • Study and evaluate the county's annual budget before approving it
    • Oversee the provision of funds for the nine county departments including Bergen Regional Medical Center
    • Supervise the funds for:
      • Bergen Community College
      • Bergen County Special Services School District
      • Bergen County Technical Schools
      • Bergen County Jail and Police Department
      • County parks, roads, and bridges

Contact Us

Lara Rodriguez

Clerk to the Board

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 Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders

One Bergen County Plaza  • 5th Floor • Hackensack, NJ 07601-7076

Phone: 201-336-6526 • Fax:201-336-6290