When I took office as Hudson County Executive in November 2002, I made it very clear that two of my highest priorities would be reducing the cost of government and protecting our local environment and remaining open space. I’m very glad to see the Hudson County Improvement Authority working cooperatively with our new administration to meet those objectives.

In January, the HCIA Board of Commissioners voted to reduce costs associated with outside consultants to the agency by at least $600,000 for 2003. Contracts authorizing legal, engineering, accounting and other professional services awarded by the HCIA Board totaled $1.4 million – about 30% less than the $2 million budgeted by the Authority in 2002.

I’m also very pleased with the new internal cost control system implemented by the HCIA Board, Executive Director Norman Guerra and General Counsel William J. Netchert, Esq. The system adds a new level of budget oversight by creating “caps” for each task or project authorized by the agency, rather than simply giving each firm an annual budget.