At the forefront of the meeting, Assignment Judge Rudy Filko delivered an insightful address regarding significant transitions within the county’s judicial administration. He detailed the considerable turnover in the court’s management team, which has seen the hiring of five new division managers and two presiding judges amidst a staff shortage of approximately 70 positions, about 14% of the total staff capacity. Judge Filko noted the impending increase in vacancies, as the number of vacant judgeships is expected to rise to seven by the end of February due to retirements.

Judge Filko expressed appreciation for the dedication of court staff in maintaining operations despite these challenges. He highlighted the collaborative role of County Administrator Matthew P. Jordan, whose support has been crucial in managing the court’s functions during this period of transition. Filko emphasized the importance of teamwork among county officials, the sheriff’s department, and staff in navigating the ongoing challenges within the judiciary.

A major announcement during the meeting was the construction of two new courtrooms on the sixth floor of the Hamilton Street Building. Filko described the project as a substantial undertaking that will result in state-of-the-art courtrooms equipped with modern technology. He praised the county’s engineering department, led by Steve Orsini, for their careful planning and execution of the project, which involves complex elements such as wiring and security measures requiring state approval.

In addition to the construction efforts, Filko underscored the necessity of maintaining safety in the courthouse, which sees approximately 60,000 visitors each month. He acknowledged the proactive measures taken by the sheriff’s department to ensure the security of the facilities, particularly as foot traffic has returned to pre-COVID levels. Filko also touched on the ongoing maintenance challenges faced by the aging courthouse, which has been operational since 1968, reiterating the commitment of county staff to address these issues promptly.

The board meeting also addressed leadership transitions among the County Commissioners. Commissioner Sandi Lazzara was unanimously elected as the County Commissioner Director for 2025 following a nomination process. In a subsequent nomination, Commissioner Lazzara was also appointed as Deputy Director. These appointments were met with a moment of applause from attendees.

Further discussions during the meeting focused on the complete restoration of the historic courthouse, with project bids set to open in February. The restoration aims to return the courthouse to its original condition, primarily funded by grants from the New Jersey Historic Trust. The collaborative efforts of various county teams, including the coordination of construction schedules to minimize disruptions, were acknowledged as critical to the success of this initiative.

The meeting proceeded with a public portion, inviting comments from community members, although no public remarks were made. Routine items such as the consent agenda and committee assignments were also addressed, with a focus on maintaining efficient operations across various county departments.