What Is a Freeholder?
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.
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. It also 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.
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.
When Does the Freeholders' Board Meet
The Board of Chosen Freeholders meets every Wednesday at 5 p.m. for work sessions in the Freeholder Conference Room. Public meetings are held the first and third Wednesday of each month in the Freeholder Public Meeting Room at 7:30 p.m. Members of the the public are invited to attend the work sessions, but may actively participate only at the public meetings.
What Are the Duties of the Freeholders
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; and contract with municipalities.
The Board of Freeholders studies and evaluates the County's annual Budget before approving it. The Freeholders oversee the provision of funds for the nine county departments including Bergen Regional Medical Center. They also supervise the funds for Bergen Community College, the Bergen County Special Services School District, Bergen County Technical Schools, the Bergen County Jail and county Police Department, the County Parks, roads and bridges.