Freeholders name new administrator

FREEHOLD - The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders has hired Robert Czech, the former administrator in Middletown, to serve as Monmouth County's administrator. Czech succeeds Louis Paparozzi, who retired on Aug. 1.

"I am very pleased to be working on behalf of Monmouth County residents," Czech said. "Monmouth County has an outstanding reputation for being well run and I look forward to working with the Board of Freeholders and the county departments in their efforts to continue to maintain and improve the excellent quality of life we have all come to value and enjoy."

Czech, 53, of Sea Girt, will oversee the day-to-day operations of county government, which is comprised of 3,500 county employees in more than 60 departments. Monmouth County has the largest library system in the state, a nationally accredited park system and a community college and vocational school system.

It also coordinates emergency management, maintains 400 miles of paved roads and delivers various social services, according to a press release.

"I especially look forward to working with the employees to meet the daily challenges associated with the delivery of these important government services," Czech said. "All county employees work extremely hard every day to deliver these services."

Czech is a licensed attorney who began his public service career in the state Division of Local Government Services within the Department of Community Affairs. He served as public manager in Montclair as well as several other municipalities in Essex and Passaic counties.

He also worked for the law firm of Scarinci and Hollenbeck, Secaucus, before becoming Middletown's administrator in 2000.

As county administrator, Czech will be paid $170,000 a year and will oversee an annual operating budget of more than $450 million.