Leaders in Somerset County are expressing frustration as they say the new state budget falls short in two key areas that affect local governments.
Officials say the spending plan does not include additional funding for community mental health programs, despite growing demand for services.
Somerset officials say the flat funding effectively amounts to a cut as operating costs continue to rise.
County leaders also say the budget does not increase the statewide 911 surcharge, which helps to fund emergency dispatch centers.
Officials say they have been asking lawmakers for years to raise that fee to help keep pace with the rising cost of operating county 911 systems.