The Ocean County freeholder board will introduce a 2010 budget Wednesday that, if adopted, will increase the county tax rate 7 percent. A tax hike in this economic climate is the last thing county residents need. Before the freeholders breathe the words “tax increase” again, they should go back to the cutting board. And Ocean County taxpayers should show up in droves at the meeting (4 p.m. in Toms River) and insist that the freeholders keep hacking away at expenses. Asking taxpayers, many of whom are struggling with reduced incomes, to ante up more for county services amounts to kicking them while they’re down. Instead, the board should look for increased efficiencies, get rid of nonessential personnel, tap into the huge surplus board members have bragged about for years and hold the line on employee contracts currently being negotiated.

The board was able to avoid tax rate increases — though not tax hikes — during the last decade when the economy was strong and new residential and commercial ratables kept the coffers filled. Now, like everywhere else, the county’s revenue is down. That’s no excuse to raise taxes. The board shouldn’t spend what it doesn’t have.

The county’s proposed 2010 budget is $347.9 million, down 2.7 percent from 2009. That’s a start, but the board must find more savings. Freeholder John Bartlett, director of finance on the five-member, all-Republican board, said if there are any further surprises from Trenton in the form of less state aid, the board will consider furloughs for its more than 2,000 employees. It shouldn’t wait for any more surprises. Furloughs and layoffs, if necessary, should already be in the plans.

The board eliminated 65 positions through attrition in 2009 and expects to further reduce personnel when resignations and retirements happen this year. The freeholders also should identify which jobs aren’t essential and eliminate them as well.

Bartlett said a four-day furlough would save the county $1 million. That’s a pretty modest furlough. Other public and private employees throughout the state are getting two weeks or more of unpaid time off. That four-day plan should be implemented now, with additional days added if any “surprises” materialize.

Government entities at all levels are dealing with less revenue and higher costs. So are the people they represent, who are finding ways to get by with less. Ocean County government must do the same. APP