State of New Jersey
Executive Order #63

Governor James J. Florio

WHEREAS, the Governor's Task Force on Local Partnerships has examined the opportunities for, and problems with, local governments joining together to provide certain services; and

WHEREAS, the Task Force concluded that the joint delivery of government services offers opportunities to provide governmental services in a more efficient and cost effective manner; and

WHEREAS, the Task Force recommends that State government support and encourage local efforts to provide joint services by assisting local governments in establishing cooperative service initiatives; and

WHEREAS, there are various State agencies that work with local government on issues of mutual concern and a coordination of efforts is needed to ensure more effective responses to joint local services initiatives;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES J. FLORIO, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. There is hereby established in, but not of, the Department of Community Affairs, a State Agency Coordinating Council on Local Partnerships (Council) which shall be composed of fifteen members including representatives of State agencies which have substantial involvement with units of local government, local authorities and representatives of municipalities and county governments.

2. The Commissioners of the Departments of Community Affairs, Environmental Protection and Energy, Health, Transportation, Personnel, Treasury, Education and the Office of State Planning shall each appoint a representative to the Council. The Attorney General shall appoint a representative from the Department of Law and Public Safety. The Governor shall also appoint one additional State representative. The Governor shall also appoint five representatives of municipalities and county government. The Council may recommend to the Governor the addition of other State agency or local representatives. The chair and vice-chair of the Council shall be designated by the Governor from among the Council members.

3. The Council is established for the purpose of:

a. Increasing responsiveness to initiatives for the provision of joint local services;

b. Developing outreach to identify and publicize opportunities for the joint provision of local services;

c. Creating a data base consisting of fiscal, economic, operational and other relevant data to be shared with local governments and to provide a basis for evaluating joint service opportunities;

d. Compiling and maintaining an inventory of case studies on local partnerships which would serve as a basis for comparing the experience of local joint service arrangements in New Jersey and other states; and

e. Providing other "clearinghouse" and reference services.

4. The Council shall extend technical assistance to units of local government on interlocal and regional concerns, including, but not limited to: local police services, local health services, county environmental health; public works; fire services; public education services; code enforcement; planning and land use; cooperative purchasing; joint insurance fund; and joint municipal courts.

5. The Council shall arrange for studies of regional approaches to the provision of joint services; develop guidelines for pilot projects as well as full implementation of interlocal services; and sponsor the development, through the State colleges, State universities and the private sector, of models for various local partnerships and privatization options.

6. The Council shall cooperate with Statewide local government organizations in conducting or sponsoring seminars and workshops on interlocal services and attendant concerns.

7. The Council shall evaluate requests for State funds, as are presently or in the future made available, to carry out the objectives of this Order, and recommend actions and priorities to the appropriate administrative agencies.

8. The Division of Local Government Services (Division) in the Department of Community Affairs shall request from all local governments as part of the annual local budget process, a report on any joint service opportunities considered in the previous year and any prospects for the following year. The Division shall provide such Report to the Council to serve as a basis for its outreach, research and follow-up activities.

9. The Council is authorized to call upon any department, office, division or agency of this State to supply it with data and any other information, personnel or assistance it deems necessary to discharge its duties under this Order. Each department, office, division or agency of this State is hereby required, to the extent not inconsistent with the law, to cooperate with the Council and furnish it with such information, personnel and assistance as is necessary to accomplish the purpose of this Order. The Attorney General shall act as legal counsel to the Council.

10. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this
6th day of August in the Year of Our
Lord, one thousand nine hundred and
ninety-two, and of the Independence
of the United States, the two hundred
and seventeenth.

/s/ James J. Florio
GOVERNOR

Attest:

/s/ William Harla
Deputy Chief Counsel to the Governor