County Government Works Assemblyman Robert Auth (R-Bergen) recently introduced legislation that would dissolve county government and require the State and municipalities to perform the functions of the State’s only true regional form of government.  Although we commend the Assemblyman for putting forth a proposal to reduce the State’s multiple layers of bureaucracy and overwhelming property tax burden, this legislation does not take into consideration the fact that neither the State nor its 565 municipalities have the resources available or subject matter expertise to provide the essential s...

Environmental Infrastructure Trust Financing Program On August 25th, Governor Chris Christie signed into law as P.L. 2015, c.106, legislation that makes some positive changes to the Environmental Infrastructure Trust Financing Program (EIFP). In summary, this new law extends the possible term of bonds, notes, or other obligations of the EIFP from 20 years from the effective date to 30 years from the effective date or a shorter period of time as may be applicable pursuant to federal law or regulation. The measure makes several changes to the short-term loan financing programs as it permits fu...

Court Security Plan 2015 NJAC is in the process of reviewing the “Administrative Determinations by the Supreme Court on the Report and Recommendations of the Statewide Judiciary Security Committee” issued April 21, 2015 to ascertain the Report’s impact on county resources, and whether the Report imposes an unfunded mandate on local governing bodies struggling to make ends meet. NJAC will also consider filing a complaint with the State Council on Local Mandates established in 1996 pursuant to a constitutional amendment.  The Council is responsible for resolving disputes on whether a law, rul...

Although we’re still in the process of reviewing the 282 page document for its impact on county government, Governor Chris Christie signed into law on June 26th as P.L. 2015, c.63 Senate, No. 2016 (Sarlo D-Bergen/Schaer D-Bergen/Passaic), which appropriates $33.8 billion in State funds and $17.3 billion in federal funds for the State budget in fiscal year 2016. Of note and as was the case last fiscal year, the Governor included in the budget an additional $4.0 million as supplemental County Aid to mitigate the reduction in funding to Bergen, Camden, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth,...

Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) & Open Public Records Act (OPRA) NJAC would like to thank Senators Weinberg and Pennacchio, and advocates of this legislation for taking the time to meet with us on several occasions to discuss possible solutions for making the bills more palatable for local governing bodies.  NJAC is a proponent of transparency and openness in government; and, supports many of the important and timely provisions contained in this legislation including the ones that would authorize local governing bodies to charge fees to commercial entities under certain circumstances and...

NJ Supreme Court Pension Ruling On June 9th, the New Jersey Supreme Court invalidated the provision of Chapter 78 signed into law in 2011 that required the State to make increased payments as an employer to the State pension systems.  In general, the Court held that this specific provision of Chapter 78 violated the Debt Limitation Clause of the State’s Constitution and that no enforceable contract was created by the 2011 law as a result. You may review the decision in its entirety at www.judiciary.state.nj.us. Importantly note that the Court’s ruling does not impact employee obligations und...

Out-of-Network On May 22nd, NJAC and other stakeholders met with Senator Joseph Vitale (D-19), Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-36), Assemblyman Troy Singleton (D-7), and Assemblyman Craig Coughlin (D-19) to discuss the “Out-of-Network Consumer Protection, Transparency, Cost Containment, and Accountability Act.” In summary, the intent of this sweeping legislation is to reform various aspects of the health care delivery system to: increase transparency in pricing for health care services; enhance consumer protections; create an arbitration system to resolve certain health billing disputes; contain ...

Electronic Fund Transfers As a means to modernize the manner in which county governments may pay their bills, NJAC strongly supports Assembly, No. 2925 (Lagana D-38/O’Scanlon R-13), which would authorize all local governing bodies to use electronic fund transfer technologies as the standardized form of payment to individuals and businesses. In summary, this legislation would authorize local governing bodies to use electronic fund technologies such as wire transfers, electronic fund transfers (EFT), prepaid debit cards, and Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments.  ACH and EFT are electronic ...

Pension and Health Benefits Study Commission NJAC is hoping that all twenty-one counties adopt its model resolution urging State leaders to protect local property taxpayers and governing bodies by preserving the structure and integrity of the fiscally solvent local pension systems.  On February 24th, the New Jersey Pension and Health Benefits Study Commission released “A Roadmap to Resolution,” which proposes several recommendations to reform and stabilize the public employee pension and health benefits systems.  In summary, the Commission recommends to:   Freeze existing State ...

Pension and Health Benefits Study Commission NJAC is hoping that all twenty-one counties adopt the following resolution in the wake of the Commission’s recommendation to enact a State/local approach to pension benefits funding.   A resolution urging State leaders to protect local property taxpayers and governing bodies by preserving the structure and integrity of the fiscally solvent local pension systems. Whereas, the local pension systems funded by county and municipal property taxpayer dollars are actuarially sound as counties and municipalities have prudently met their pension obligatio...