UNION COUNTY, NJ — As part of its restructuring, the Union County Improvement Authority has returned more than $735,000 of taxpayer money to local governments, UCIA Chairperson Christopher Kolibas announced on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
The authority recently returned funds that had been sitting dormant in accounts for more than a decade. “The previous authority administration left the money unused,” Kolibas said. “The funds were allocated for projects in the respective jurisdiction but went unspent.”
Union County Commissioner and UCIA liaison Sergio Granados said, “The county commissioners would like to thank the leadership at the UCIA for its willingness to evaluate its operations and identify cost-saving measures that benefit our residents.”
“We’re putting the people’s money back to work by closing out completed projects and returning unused balances,” Kolibas said. Identified funds can be used to pay down debt or pay for other infrastructure improvements within each jurisdiction.
The UCIA plans, develops and manages public improvements for municipalities and the county for the public benefit. The authority has undertaken a review of its operations in recent years to achieve economy and efficiency.
The authority has returned:
• $448,212.64 to the city of Plainfield.
• $223,003.44 to the township of Union.
• $65,319.17 to the Plainfield Board of Education.
• $751.20 to Union County.
“We’re working daily to make sure the taxpayers get value from each tax dollar,” Kolibas said.