Red Flag Rule Delayed until June 1, 2010 - 11/02/2009

The Federal Trade Commissions has announced that it will further delay the enforcement of its Red Flag Rule until June 1, 2009.  The delay is to give creditors, including municipalities and financial institutions, additional time to understand and comply with the requirements of the rule, which include developing and implementing written identity theft programs.  Details on the delay can be viewed online.  Information regarding their impact on New Jersey local units is found in Local Finance Notice 2009-9R.      

Return to Top

Reports for each municipality's 2009 Senior Citizen and Veterans' Tax Exemption reimbursement has now been posted on the Division of Local Government Services website.  Officials can download a report of their municipality's payment that will be deposited on November 2, 2009.  The report shows the breakdown of payment categories, including the Administrative Fee. 

Return to Top

All local units that are receiving federal funds through the American Recovery and Revitalization Act (ARRA) have new and different responsibilities to meet ongoing audit responsibilities under the program rules.  Local Finance Notice 2009-19 provides important information and references about grant recipient responsibilities to implement internal controls at the start of their grant programs and are subject to federal or state agency audits during the performance of the grant. A web page with links to federal agency guidance has been posted at www.nj.gov/dca/lgs/research/arra/index.shtml.   

Return to Top

In light of the recent bankruptcy and apparent theft of public funds by the payroll servicing company Ameripay, the Division has prepared Local Finance Notice 2009-18 that covers the risks and internal controls that all local units should address when dealing with any third party payment organization.  It includes a reminder about rules and a guide issued by the Division several years ago on this issue which should be reviewed by all local units using third party organizations for financial transactions.

Return to Top

The Division has released Local Finance Notice 2009-17, "SFY 2010 Extraordinary Municipal Aid" along with the Extraordinary Aid application worksheet.  In addition, officials planning both SFY 2010 and CY 2010 budgets that took advantage of the pension deferral program should review the guidance contained in Local Finance Notice 2009-16 concerning SFY 2010 budgets.

Return to Top

Local Finance Notice 2009-16 announces the COLA rate for SFY 2010 budgets and the increase rate in State Health Benefit rates which will drive cap exceptions for all FY 2010 budgets.  The COLA rate for SFY 2010 budgets is 3%, and the SHB increase is 18%.  Please review the notice to determine how this information affects your organization.  Current SHB members will receive information from the Division of Pensions and Benefits on how the increases affect you.

Return to Top

The NJ Uniform Construction Code Regulations - NJAC 5:23-4.17 (b) require that municipalities file a report that accurately portrays the receipts and expenses of the local enforcing agency for code enforcement purposes and serves as a basis of changes (if any) in the UCC fee ordinance and staffing needs for the next year.
The UCC Annual Report, which has been filed by CFO's and Construction Officials since 1994, will now be completed on-line.  This will become effective August 2009 for "State Fiscal Year" municipalities and February 2010 for "Calendar Year" municipalities. For questions or assistance, please e-mail the Office of Regulatory Affairs at ora@dca.state.nj.us. CFO's are asked to share this information with their municipal Construction Official.   

Return to Top

Most CY 2009/SFY 2010 State Aid Payment Recapitulation Statements have now been posted online.  Municipalities that applied for CY 2009 Extraordinary Aid have not been posted and will be posted once aid has been allocated.  Local Finance Notice 2009-15 describes the Notice and provides specific details about the payment schedule.

Return to Top