When the Ocean County Board of Freeholders developed an annual budget during the last decade, the formula always included an eye toward the future.

"Our budget planning always includes the bigger picture," said Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett Jr., who serves as the architect of the county budget. "We knew from past experience that the economy would someday hit a downturn, and now we are there.

"However, good financial planning and a conservative approach to preparing the budget over the years has left this county and its taxpayers in a position where we do not have to raise the county property tax rate, nor do we have to lay off employees or plan to furlough workers," Bartlett said. "In addition, we will maintain programs and services at their current levels while the budget we introduce is down $4.3 million."

The Board of Freeholders introduced the 2009 spending package at its regular board meeting on March 4. A public hearing on the measure will be scheduled for April 1, according to a press release from the county.

Bartlett noted that the proposed budget, totaling $354,580,337, is down by 1.2 percent, or $4,359,486. The county's property tax rate will remain stable at 25 cents per $100 of equalized property value.

Bartlett noted that past budgets were based on a formula that included the rate of inflation with the percentage of growth seen in the county.

"That was always a good rule of thumb as to where the county budget ought to be," Bartlett said. "But today it's different.

"I don't think there is anyone in Ocean County that has not been affected by this 'Great Recession,' " Bartlett said, "from seniors who have had investments affected, to new retirees, to those who have lost jobs. These are tough, tough economic times, and it is incumbent on all of us to make certain we work in a way that helps our residents and not make things more difficult."

To that end, Bartlett said Ocean County will not ask its residents to provide any more in the county property tax rate than they had in 2008.

In order to maintain the services and programs provided by the freeholders and keep the tax rate where it is, the county will reduce the amount it appropriates on capital purchases and projects, reduce overtime and department expenditures across the board, and continue its policy of no new positions while closely reviewing the need for filling vacancies that may occur, according to the press release.

Bartlett said the budget reduces the amount of cash appropriated for capital projects by $7 million and by almost $5 million for capital purchases.

"During good times the county budget appropriated cash for these expenses," Bartlett said. "We did that knowing that when a downturn affected the economy we could step back from that practice and not hurt the taxpayer in any way."

Bartlett noted the freeholders have also implemented a 10 percent reduction in the amount spent for overtime in those departments that use less than $1 million a year, and a 15 percent reduction for those departments that spend more than $1 million in overtime.

"We expect this to result in a savings of about $800,000," Bartlett said. "This is our target and we will require the best management possible to meet this objective."

In addition, operating expenses for each department were reduced by 5 percent for those departments with a budget of $100,000 and 10 percent for departments with budgets of more than $100,000.

The reductions will help offset the $6.9 million loss of revenues seen by the county.

Bartlett said the budget includes increased funding to the county's college and vocational technical school district with the college receiving an additional $510,000 and the vo-tech $587,000. The county budget provides about $32 million combined for the two educational centers.

In addition, the county plans to provide about $10 million to the college for two new facilities, to help with its expansion. Under an agreement with the college, the county will be refunded the money.

"This is how you help create jobs," said Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the vo-tech schools. "We are helping to provide a quality and affordable education in addition to teaching important skills. This cannot be compromised."

Meanwhile, the county is increasing its contribution to the Board of Social Services, which administers a host of programs and services to the most vulnerable and needy living in the county by almost $1 million.

"These programs are critical in assisting residents who are having a difficult time," said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, who serves as liaison to Social Service. "The county's funds serve as a match that allows us to get the state and federal dollars used to provide general assistance, food stamps, Medicaid and other assistance to families and individuals who need help."

Little said the proposed county budget is fiscally responsible.

"We didn't get here by chance," he said. "Sound fiscal planning has kept us out of the dire situations other counties, and towns, are in."