Morris County, New Jersey

Recovery Plan 

Local Fiscal Recovery Funds

2021 Report
Morris County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 1

Morris County 

2021 Recovery Plan

Table of Contents

GENERAL OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................. 2

Executive Summary................................................................................................................ 2

Uses of Funds ........................................................................................................................ 2

Promoting equitable outcomes ............................................................................................... 3

Community Engagement ........................................................................................................ 6

Labor Practices ...................................................................................................................... 6

Use of Evidence ..................................................................................................................... 7

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category.......................................................................... 7

Project Inventory...................................................................................................................... 7

Performance Report ............................................................................................................... 8
Morris County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 2

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Executive Summary 

Morris County has been developing recovery planning initiatives that meet specific U.S. 

Department of the Treasury’s key objectives. The Commissioners of Morris County selected the 

following objectives for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF):

• Support the urgent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID 19) response efforts to continue to 

decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control.

• Support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses.

• Address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the 

disparate impacts of the pandemic on certain populations.

Morris County is expected to receive a total of $95,535,125 and will focus efforts on the following 

three initiatives: 

• Supporting Public Health Response 

• Addressing Negative Economic Impacts Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

• Investing in Certain Infrastructure

Morris County is currently in the process of obligating dollars and setting up a program of oversight 

for SLFRF funds to ensure compliance with the Treasury Interim Final Rule and any additional 

guidance issued. The County has brought on a full-time grants manager and is moving forward 

to put the SLFRF money into Morris County.

In March 2020, the then Morris County Freeholder Board created the COVID-19 Strategic 

Planning Advisory Committee (SPAC) to help ensure the County is meeting residents’ needs. 

SPAC serves as advisory counsel to the entire County governing body and is comprised of three

County Commissioners: the County Administrator, the Deputy County Administrator, and the 

County’s Chief Financial Officer. On March 10, 2021, the Board of Commissioners tasked the 

SPAC committee with reviewing the American Rescue Plan rules and recommending ways to 

invest the funds. The SPAC has undertaken the process of collecting suggested investment ideas

of SLFRF funds for the most productive use of the dollars from county departments, county 

agencies, and partner entities like the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. 

This recovery report will address Morris County’s initiatives to (1) promote a response to the 

pandemic and economic recovery, (2) report key outcome goals, (3) determine progress to date 

on those outcomes, and (4) describe any noteworthy challenges or opportunities identified during 

the reporting period.

Uses of Funds

While Morris County is in the planning and obligation phase, various ideas and proposals have 

been brought to the County’s attention. The following goals were presented to the Morris County 

Board of County Commissioners and to the general public at the board’s public work-session 

meeting held on June 23, 2021. This recovery report details the County’s focus on supporting a 

strong and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn by 

addressing the following issues:

1) Support Public Health Response (Treasury Expenditure Category 1)
Morris County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 3

• Limiting High-Traffic Contact Areas

o Automatic bathroom fixtures, disinfection/sanitization equipment

• Living Facility Upgrades

o Motion activated doors, laundry facility upgrades, generators

• Emergency Services Storage

o Storage facility for PPE, crisis supplies, specialized trailers

2) Address Negative Economic Impacts Due to COVID-19 Pandemic (Treasury Expenditure 

Category 2)

• Small Business Focused Support

o Grant Program, outreach efforts to underserved populations

• Tourism Reemergence

o Marketing

• Arts and Culture Revitalization

o Downtown and local family-friendly events

3) Invest in Certain Infrastructure 

• Wastewater Systems Improvements (Treasury Expenditure Category 5)

o Septic system replacement or conversion to sewer

• Indoor Air Quality Enhancements (Treasury Expenditure Category 1)

o HVAC upgrades, air purification

• Government Technology Effectiveness (Treasury Expenditure Category 1)

o Installation of technology in conference rooms and offices to allow for more public 

integration

As noted above, the Treasury’s expenditure categories and allowable expenses are a 

foundational part of the County’s planning process. 

Other Federal Funds: The U.S. Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance program funds 

designated to Morris County have been contracted to the New Jersey Department of Community 

Affairs for distribution and program administration on behalf of Morris County. Of the 1,721 

applications submitted, 636 have been processed, with a total of $5,015,257.92 distributed to 

Morris County residents. Morris County is committed to working with the community to promote 

the Emergency Rental Assistance program through print, virtual, and verbal communication 

methods with established partners within the County.

Promoting equitable outcomes 

In obligating SLFRF funds, Morris County’s priority will be to promote equitable outcomes, 

including the use of evidence-based reporting as encouraged in the SLFRF Interim Final Rule. 

The County will promote equitable outcomes by requesting grant recipients comply with Title VI 

of the Civil Rights Act, promote targeted messaging and communication to economically 

disadvantaged communities, and share the Treasury-suggested questions of measuring equity at

various stages of the program. The County intends to ensure the overall equity strategy translates 

into specific services or programs allowed in the following Expenditure Categories:

1. Negative Economic Impacts (EC 2)

2. Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities (EC 3)

As the County plans to obligate SLFRF funds it will consider the geographic and demographic 

distribution of funding. The County will rely on community planning, public outreach to traditionally 
Morris County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 4

marginalized communities, and information provided by the U.S. Census Bureau to help with 

consideration. The following tables reflect the population of Morris County by income, and race 

and Hispanic origin.

Median Household and Family Income 2015 - 2019 (5-Year Estimates)

Municipality

Median Household 

Income

Median Family 

Income Municipality

Median Household 

Income

Median Family 

Income

Boonton $87,027 $107,235 Morris Twp. $151,776 $183,964

Boonton Twp. $138,750 $159,844 Morris Plains $128,438 $147,083

Butler $95,446 $115,451 Morristown $96,545 $116,500

Chatham Boro. $192,321 $222,679 Mountain Lakes $241,667 $250,000+

Chatham Twp. $189,297 $250,000+ Mount Arlington $77,043 $86,875

Chester Boro. $105,500 $145,208 Mount Olive $88,073 $114,458

Chester Twp. $167,500 $183,750 Netcong $69,375 $86,711

Denville $125,655 $166,464 Parsippany $102,408 $125,063

Dover $71,903 $72,949 Pequannock $105,316 $134,356

East Hanover $136,016 $148,516 Randolph $142,459 $176,026

Florham Park $128,071 $150,350 Riverdale $110,664 $127,630

Hanover $126,658 $146,512 Rockaway Boro. $96,602 $108,275

Harding $141,196 $212,188 Rockaway Twp. $111,026 $135,711

Jefferson $106,892 $131,168 Roxbury $113,957 $131,621

Kinnelon $158,000 $171,375 Victory Gardens $54,792 $53,906

Lincoln Park $97,003 $107,887 Washington $149,129 $165,082

Long Hill $137,099 $163,000 Wharton $80,000 $73,125

Madison $146,157 $185,156 Morris County $115,527 $141,633

Mendham Boro. $151,875 $190,405 New Jersey $82,545 $102,260

Mendham Twp. $196,296 $231,328

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, 2015 - 2019 American Community 

Survey. Table Revised: January 2021

Mine Hill $91,219 $96,813

Montville $145,292 $172,944

Population by Race and Hispanic Origin in 2010 and 2020 for Morris County

2010 Census 2020 Census

Numeric 

Change Percent Change Persons

Percent of 

Total 

Population

Persons

Percent of 

Total 

Population

Total population 492,276 100.0% 509,285 100.0% 17,009 3.5%

Not Hispanic or Latino

White 369,551 75.1% 341,175 67.0% -28,376 -7.7%

Black or African American 14,134 2.9% 15,586 3.1% 1,452 10.3%

American Indian and Alaska Native 369 0.1% 373 0.1% 4 1.1%

Asian 43,862 8.9% 57,700 11.3% 13,838 31.5%

Native Hawaiian and Other 

Pacific Islander 70 0.0% 93 0.0% 23 32.9%

Some other race 806 0.2% 2,337 0.5% 1,531 190.0%

Two or more races 7,002 1.4% 15,360 3.0% 8,358 119.4%

Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race) 56,482 11.5% 76,661 15.1% 20,179 35.7%

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 and 2020 Census. Table Revised: August 2021
Morris County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 5

Population by Race and Hispanic Origin - Municipalities 2020

Not Hispanic or Latino

Municipality

Total 

Population White

Black or 

African 

American

American 

Indian and 

Alaska 

Native Asian

Native 

Hawaiian 

and Other 

Pacific 

Islander

Some

other 

race

Two or

more

races

Hispanic or 

Latino 

(may be of 

any race)

Boonton 8,815 5,600 444 6 953 1 40 362 1,409

Boonton Twp. 4,380 3,626 47 2 275 0 11 144 275

Butler 8,047 5,987 123 5 284 0 15 224 1,409

Chatham Boro. 9,212 7,159 89 0 847 0 52 390 675

Chatham Twp. 10,983 8,549 81 4 1,387 0 57 391 514

Chester Boro. 1,681 1,276 5 1 60 0 1 57 281

Chester Twp. 7,713 6,377 90 3 381 1 26 296 539

Denville 17,107 13,485 317 27 1,351 0 41 606 1,280

Dover 18,460 2,726 783 27 423 0 100 192 14,209

East Hanover 11,105 8,450 141 4 1,425 0 30 179 876

Florham Park 12,585 9,410 725 5 1,075 8 41 392 929

Hanover 14,677 10,880 325 10 1,948 5 40 423 1,046

Harding 3,871 3,305 41 1 180 0 10 155 179

Jefferson 20,538 16,605 356 18 860 7 128 566 1,998

Kinnelon 9,966 8,192 91 6 610 0 40 299 728

Lincoln Park 10,915 8,040 332 7 719 2 60 286 1,469

Long Hill 8,629 6,576 73 6 693 4 66 299 912

Madison 16,937 12,482 463 11 1,262 7 84 624 2,004

Mendham Boro. 4,981 4,321 29 2 161 0 29 146 293

Mendham Twp. 6,016 4,929 93 1 347 0 40 276 330

Mine Hill 4,015 2,178 191 3 210 1 29 120 1,283

Montville 22,450 15,009 319 18 4,811 6 101 608 1,578

Morris Twp. 22,974 17,253 1,019 9 1,368 9 117 821 2,378

Morris Plains 6,153 4,675 219 0 487 0 15 167 590

Morristown 20,180 9,198 1,961 28 961 11 128 526 7,367

Mountain Lakes 4,472 3,285 19 4 694 1 13 209 247

Mount Arlington 5,909 4,478 197 3 334 0 25 153 719

Mount Olive 28,886 18,399 1,807 12 3,025 3 141 1,039 4,460

Netcong 3,375 2,162 151 12 118 0 11 104 817

Parsippany 56,162 24,960 1,911 77 21,694 6 317 1,566 5,631

Pequannock 15,571 13,461 98 8 395 3 37 345 1,224

Randolph 26,504 17,750 740 15 3,185 1 117 905 3,791

Riverdale 4,107 3,269 88 0 219 1 9 110 411

Rockaway 

Boro. 6,598 4,273 187 7 553 1 33 189 1,355

Rockaway Twp. 25,341 17,804 731 10 1,918 10 83 790 3,995

Roxbury 22,950 16,865 647 8 1,292 2 109 687 3,340

Victory 

Gardens 1,582 177 142 4 41 0 10 23 1,185

Washington 18,197 15,209 286 2 760 2 80 499 1,359

Wharton 7,241 2,795 225 7 394 1 51 192 3,576

Morris County 509,285 341,175 15,586 373 57,700 93 2337 15,360 76,661

New Jersey 9,288,994 4,816,381 1,154,142 11,206 942,921 1,944 70,354 289,471 2,002,575

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2020 
Morris County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 6

Community Engagement 

Morris County encourages input and feedback be regularly documented from the County’s diverse 

constituents, community-based organizations, and the community. The County website provides 

a tool for all community members to find information about public meetings, financial information, 

and direct-contact information. As mentioned in the Executive Summary, the COVID-19 Strategic 

Planning Advisory Committee (SPAC) makes recommendations to the Morris County 

Commissioners regarding SLFRF funding. Commissioners then hold a public meeting, consider 

and incorporate public opinion, and pass resolutions to formalize actions. The Board of County 

Commissioners, various commissions, boards, and authorities hold public meetings that allow 

constituents, community-based organizations, and the community to comment on planned or 

current use of funds via written, oral, and other forms of input.

Another way the County will ensure community engagement is requesting grant recipients and 

subrecipients promote targeted messaging and communication to community organizations 

serving people with significant barriers to services, including people of color, people with low 

incomes, limited English proficiency populations, and other traditionally underserved groups. The 

County is working with the Morris County Chamber of Commerce to connect with various 

historically underserved community organizations.

Morris County achieved the highest response rate in the region during the 2020 United States 

decennial census. The County Complete Count Committee exerted great effort during the

pandemic to successfully reach the “hard-to-count” populations and created new relationships 

that will support ongoing community engagement efforts. 

Labor Practices 

At this time, Morris County has not initiated infrastructure projects within Expenditure Category

(EC) 5- water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. For the next reporting period, July 1, 2021-

June 30, 2022, Morris County anticipates one wastewater infrastructure improvement (EC 5.1 

and 5.2) and improvements to HVAC systems (EC 1.4) will be completed and included in the 

appropriate reporting period. Morris County intends to ensure robust labor standards to promote 

effective and efficient delivery of high-quality infrastructure projects while also supporting the 

economic recovery through strong employment opportunities for workers. The County will ensure 

the contracts for labor include provisions requiring compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act and 

language stating that workers are paid the higher of the prevailing wage rates determined by the 

U.S. Secretary of Labor and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. 

These contracts will also include provisions requiring compliance with the Contract Work Hours 

and Safety Standards Act and ensure that a contract award is not made to a party that has been 

debarred or suspended in the Federal System for Award Management (SAM).

With any grants provided to nonprofits (EC 2.10) or small businesses (EC 2.9), the County will 

execute a grant agreement that ensures fair labor practices, such as compliance with DavisBacon, evidence of an executed project labor agreement, prevailing wage requirements, and/or

local hiring.
Morris County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 7

Use of Evidence 

At this time, Morris County does not have evidence to report. As Morris County obligates and 

expends SLFRF funds, the County will ensure (where applicable) that SLFRF funds will be used 

for evidence-based interventions and/or that projects are evaluated through rigorous program 

evaluations designed to build evidence.

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category

The following table summarizes the amount of funds used in each Expenditure Category for the 

reporting period from March 3, 2021 to July 31, 2021. 

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

1 Expenditure Category: Public Health

1.7 Capital Investments or Physical Plant Changes 

to Public Facilities that respond to the COVID19 public health emergency

$39,000.00 $39,000.00

7 Administrative and Other

7.1 Administrative Expenses $13,952.92 $13,952.92

Project Inventory 

Project [2021-001]: Professional Services for Industrial Hygienist for HVAC Review

Funding amount: $39,000.00

Project Expenditure Category 1.7: Capital investments or physical plant changes to public 

facilities that respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency

Project overview: ESMCorp. has been providing COVID-19 reopening support to colleges, 

municipalities, county governments, school districts and private retail and medical facilities since 

the onset of the Pandemic. Under the COVID Reopening Certified Industrial Hygiene Support 

Professional Services Agreement, ESMCorp. is providing the following services to Morris County, 

which began on June 15, 2021:

1. Review of Morris County COVID facilities management and readiness procedures.

2. Preliminary planning and prioritization meetings with facilities and risk management 

personnel.

3. Walkthrough Inspections for work area distancing and workflow organization at up to 15 

County office buildings representing typical variety of vintage building types. 

4. HVAC system walkthrough assessments to determine typical HVAC equipment types, and 

potential adjustment of outdoor air introduction rates, filtration, and other means of 

reducing COVID-19 transmission risks,

5. Air monitoring for indicators of fresh air supply, volatile organic compounds (VOC), 

temperature, and humidity in a subset of inspected areas as appropriate to estimate HVAC

performance.
Morris County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 8

Use of Evidence: Based on items 1-5 above, ESMCorp. will provide a draft model for building 

HVAC and supplemental air filtration/purification needs that can reduce COVID-19 transmission 

risks. Once completed, Morris County will then proceed within County and New Jersey State 

procurement guidelines to issue an RFP for HVAC updates. 

• After receipt of the draft model, Morris County will conduct and provide the supporting data 

in future recovery plan reports.

• $39,000.00 is obligated towards Public Health (EC 1).

Project [2021-002]: Administrative Expenses 

Funding amount: $91,040.73 annually

Project Expenditure Category 7.1: Administrative Expenses

Project overview: Morris County has hired a full-time Grants Manager to oversee the distribution 

of SLFRF funds and ensure compliance with Treasury Guidelines. A total of $13,952.92 has been 

expended as of July 31, 2021 with an obligated annual salary of $91,040.73.

Use of Evidence: Not Applicable. This project is an administrative need; therefore, use of evidence 

is not required. 

Performance Report

At this time, Morris County does not have key performance indicators; the County has not 

obligated funds toward major SLFRF projects. 

At this time, Morris County does not have projects in the areas of Household Assistance (EC 2.2 

and 2.5) and Housing Support (EC 3.10-3.12); Negative Economic Impacts (EC 2); Education 

Assistance (EC 3.1-3.5); and Healthy Childhood Environments (EC 3.6-3.9).