Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sussex County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
33 issues with medium priority
Youth Services Commission appointments
Four appointments were scheduled to the Sussex County Youth Services Commission, including Prosecutor Daniel Perez filling a vacancy. The commission guides how the county serves at-risk youth.
Cold Case Arrest in Sussex County's Most Notorious Murder
Investigators made an arrest and secured an indictment in the county's most notorious cold case, bringing some relief to the victim's surviving family. Details remain sealed while the case is pending.
Childhood lead exposure prevention grant
A sub-grant agreement with Warren County was scheduled to bring $60,046 in state funding for childhood lead exposure prevention work through the county health division.
Sheriff's Office emergency communications and equipment purchases
Congressman Josh Gottheimer secured $3.7 million in federal grants for county public safety, including $300,000 for an interoperable radio system linking all eleven municipal police departments, the sheriff, state police and the prosecutor's office during major incidents.
Voter Registration
Time's ticking to get registered if you want to vote in the upcoming Stillwater Special School Election. Make sure your paperwork is submitted to the Sussex County Board of Elections by 9 PM on November 17, 2026.
Grounds Maintenance Bidding
Sussex County is currently accepting bids from local landscaping businesses to handle grounds maintenance through 2027. If you own a green-industry company in the area, this is your shot to land a solid, multi-year government contract.
Recreation Facility Opening
Sussex County just opened a free outdoor fitness center at SCCC in partnership with the county commissioners, giving you a brand-new spot to work out. It's a great addition if you're looking to save money on a gym membership while staying active outdoors.
Election Equipment Testing
Sussex County is hosting a public test of its electronic voting machines for the upcoming Stillwater Special School Election. Residents can drop by the Board of Elections office on December 2 to inspect the gear and see how everything works.
Election Board Meetings
Sussex County just dropped its 2026 election board meeting dates, giving you a front-row seat to local voting policies. If you care about how your vote is counted and local election rules, you'll want to bookmark this schedule.
Affordable housing and Habitat for Humanity partnership
The merged Habitat for Humanity Northwest New Jersey asked the county to help it find land in Sussex County to build affordable homes, which would also help towns meet their affordable housing obligations through 2035. Habitat is also expanding a home repair grant program covering roofs, HVAC and structural work for income-qualified residents.
Cellebrite digital forensics for the Prosecutor's Office
The county is paying $103,506 to renew Cellebrite software that lets investigators extract data from phones. A resident flagged the company's international misuse record; county counsel defended it as essential for prosecuting child predators and sex traffickers.
Sussex Tech's T-Mobile contest bid for $250,000 and $1 million
Sussex County Technical School is one of 40 schools nationally eligible for a $1 million T-Mobile prize and one of 10 East Coast finalists for $250,000 to overhaul its athletic facilities. Residents can vote daily through October 25.
Special Election
Heads up! There's a special school election happening on Tuesday, December 8, 2026, so make sure to get out and vote between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Election Notice
Sussex County just released the official rules for challenging the upcoming Stillwater special school election in December. If you want to know how election disputes work or need to check your voter rights, you should review these new guidelines now.
election ADA compliance
Sussex County just confirmed all its polling places will be fully ADA compliant for the 2026 General Election. If you or someone you know needs voting help, the Board of Elections has extra resources ready to go.
Election Administration
Mail-in ballots are now available for the upcoming Stillwater Township special school election on December 8. If you want to skip the lines on election day, just make sure to get your application submitted on time.
Request for Proposals
Sussex County is asking health organizations to bid on new substance use and prevention contracts until late October. If you work in the local wellness sector, this is your shot at scoring a county contract.
CR 609 speeding and signage in Hopatcong
Carolyn Turner pressed for speed signs, hidden driveway signs, and guardrail repairs on County Road 609 after a car passed a stopped school bus. Carney promised two signs by next week.
County Financial Health and Debt Reduction
Horizon's proposed renewal would raise county health insurance costs by nearly 17%. The administrator has asked for it to be revisited and hopes to report progress.
2026 Election Races
Sussex County voters will see federal, county, and local races on the 2026 ballot. The winners could shape taxes, services, and local rules, so this is basically a preview of who may be making decisions for you.
Disability recreation grant (Resolution JJ)
The county applied for a $42,000 state grant to expand recreation for residents with disabilities. Four residents spoke in passionate support, urging the board to go beyond group homes and reach isolated community members.
Old jail as prosecutor's office space
Commissioner Silverthorne called the Prosecutor's office infrastructure 'good money after bad' and said a bigger discussion is coming; a feasibility study is underway.
Delaware Water Gap redesignation opposition
Sandy Hull announced that a bipartisan House resolution (H.Res. 144) opposing a national park and preserve redesignation of the Delaware Water Gap NRA was submitted July 21 — the culmination of a four-year fight she led, with the county board among the first to sign an opposing resolution.
Trail grants totaling ~$284,896 headed to board July 22
Municipalities and nonprofits can apply for trails grants from January 12 through May 15, funded by the open space trust fund, with awards announced in the summer.
Farmland preservation — Wilson-Taylor Farm, Fredon Township
The 2026 farmland preservation, recreation and open space trust fund levy was approved, continuing funding for preserving farms and open space.
Lake Musconetcong water chestnut infestation
The invasive water chestnut has exploded from 5 acres two years ago to about 32 acres. Harvesting and herbicide treatments have begun, and the planning board wants more spraying before it spreads further.
Tick-borne illness in Sussex County
The county logged 121 tick-borne illness cases in June — Lyme, anaplasmosis, alpha-gal, and babesiosis — down slightly from 134 last June. Health officials urge repellent, permethrin-treated clothing, and tick checks.
Mosquito surveillance and West Nile risk
All 100 mosquito pools tested so far this season came back negative, but officials expect a high-activity season and urge repellent use and removing standing water.
Speed limit studies on CR 519 and CR 517
County engineers are studying posted speed limits on West End Avenue in Newton and Main Street in Ogdensburg, with possible changes and an updated speed-limit ordinance expected this year.
Aging Upper Wallkill Valley sewer treatment plant
The county MUA's aging Wallkill Valley sewer plant needs about $65,000 in fixes after a compliance inspection, on top of $420,000 already spent on reactive repairs.
Route 517 speed limit changes in Ogdensburg
A traffic study recommends keeping most existing speed limits but dropping the zone near the Ogdensburg school to 20 mph during arrival and dismissal, and cutting a 30 mph zone to 25 mph. The borough must sign off before changes take effect.
Sussex-Wantage Branch Library HVAC failures
A broken air conditioning system has repeatedly closed the Sussex-Wantage library, including an early closure the day of the meeting. Parts are on order; staff are relocating to other branches. The building remains open as a voting location.
Tax Map Shared Service Proposal
Administrator Marks said the Board of Taxation asked the county to help coordinate municipal tax map updates, which the state requires annually but doesn't enforce. A shared service using the county's vendor could save taxpayers money; the idea will go to mayors.