LUARC Commission Notes � June 26, 2008

Flag salute.

Roll Call was read:

Members Present: John H. Fisher, III (Chair), Joseph V. Doria, Jr., Marvin Reed, Robert F. Casey, Gary Passanante, Steven M. Cozza, Hannah Shostack (for Treasurer David Rousseau), Jane Kenny

Sunshine Notice was read by the Secretary.

Minutes of last meeting approved unanimously.

Presentation by Bill Dressel, Executive Director, New Jersey State League of Municipalities

NJSLM founded in 1915 to represent the interests of New Jersey�s municipalities and protect home rule.

League supports interlocal services and cooperative agreements.� League champions interlocal services and efficiency.

League not opposed to regionalization or consolidation.� It should be voluntary and done at the local level.� Local residents must have a voice and vote on subject.� League opposes penalties for voting �no� on consolidation.

Cost drivers of municipal government expenditures: 1) Police and fire arbitration; 2) Cuts in State Aid to small municipalities.

No certain economies of scale to consolidation.� There are intangible factors that affect provision of local services � how do you measure value?� There are no standards for measuring efficiency.

There should be no mandatory consolidation of municipalities; there should be an �escape clause� that lets targeted municipalities opt out.

Marvin Reed asked:

1) Did the League do a research study of municipal cost figures and determine cost per capita figures?� Bill Dressel will provide figures.

2) Does the League have a list of unfunded State mandates upon municipalities?� The League will get a list to the Commission.

3) Does the League have any cost information on consultant services?

4) How many small towns are complying with COAH?

Hannah Shostack asked:

What is the League�s role in pushing �best practices�?� League provides advice and counsel to municipalities and advertises offers to share services.

Robert Casey asked:

What is League position on municipalities combining to achieve a particular population base for Priority Health Act funding?� Regional combining of population figures is a viable option to comply and meet population thresholds.

Presentation by Richard Knight, Executive Director, New Jersey Conference of Mayors

NJCM founded in 1963 to represent New Jersey�s mayors.

NJCM wants to work with the LUARC Commission to achieve economies of scale and lower taxes.

Stressed the importance of home rule; there should be no forced consolidations.� The Commission must be sensitive to the financial impact of recommendations and provide a statement of these financial impacts.

Marvin Reed asked the same four questions as above of NJCM.

Steven Cozza asked: Can the LUARC meetings be held around New Jersey?

Gary Passanante asked: Can NJCM put together a list of unfunded State mandates upon municipalities?

Marvin Reed commented that there seems to be a high cost per capita in both small municipalities and large cities � a cost problem at both the high and low ends of the population scale.� Richard Knight said that small municipalities are very efficient and that consolidation does not guarantee lower costs.

Joseph Doria commented that costs per capita are slippery and deceptive.

Gary Passanante commented that consolidation affects more HOW services are delivered.

Presentation by Nick DiRocco, Legislative Liaison, New Jersey Association of Counties

Founded in 1921 and has long advocated shared services.� NJAC has held conferences and workshops promoting shared services.� NJAC wants to partner with the LUARC Commission.� Shared services can deliver significant cost savings and enhanced service levels.� Unfunded State mandates have worked against efficient delivery of local services.

Marvin Reed commented that the county is the least transparent level of government in New Jersey.� How can we assure people that the county will be more transparent and accessible?� Are county efforts duplicative of municipal services?� Is county provision of services necessarily more cost efficient?

Gary Passanante asked: How are counties driving idea of breaking down artificial barriers between counties?� Boundaries are less robust at county level as opposed to the municipal level.

Presentation by the New Jersey Fire District Association; four presenters: Roger Potts; Richard Braslow, Esq., NJFDA Attorney; Jake Genovay, Dr. Harry Carter.

NJFDA founded in 1969 to promote awareness and compliance with State rules and regulations.� There are now 186 fire districts; they are most like a public school board.� There are 745 fire departments in New Jersey.� Fire districts provide important services at bargain prices.

Richard Braslow stated that the NJFDA analyzes and proposes legislation, rules and regulations.� Fire districts were created to guarantee fire companies adequate funding.� Fire district commissioners are not political; are interested only in good, efficient fire service provision.� Many fire districts already engage in shared services.� Fire districts provide another �intangible� service.

Gary Passanante asked about duplication of fire apparatus and fire district�s role in municipal ISO rating.

Robert Casey asked how to get fire companies to purchase fire equipment on a cooperative, regional basis.

Joseph Doria asked why can�t all fire districts in a municipality be consolidated into one fire district; what is the logical reason for multiple fire districts?� Harry Carter replied that many volunteers will walk away if the local fire district is merged into one, big municipal fire district.

Hannah Shostack asked: Since a fire district election will get a two percent voter turnout, why should fire districts be continued?

Marvin Reed asked for a list of fire districts and what municipalities they are in.

Presentation by Maria Sirimis and Thomas Foley, President, New Jersey Shared Services Association

NJSSA was founded in March, 2008; 17 counties are active.� NJSSA looks to establish long term shared service agreements.� Members counties and are recipients of DCA SHARE program COUNT grants.

Marvin Reed commented that there are three �big ticket� municipal services: police, fire, and public works; all tend to be opposed to consolidation and shared services.

Jack Fisher made a motion to go into closed session, which was Moved by Commissioner Doria and Seconded by Ms. Kenny.� Passed unanimously.

Jack Fisher made a motion to reconvene into open session, which was Moved by Commissioner Doria and Seconded by Ms. Shostack.� Passed unanimously.

Mr. Fisher asked if there was any other business which the Commission would like to discuss.� Since no other business, the meeting adjourned.�