Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver
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General News

09/20/2023   Last Day To Register - Governor's Conference on Housing and Economic D
09/08/2023   New Workplace Accountability in Labor List (The WALL)
09/01/2023   Free ARP LFRF Consulting Services for Counties and Municipalities
08/29/2023   Marriage License Reimbursement Program (MLR)) - Period January 1, 2023
08/24/2023   Boardwalk Preservation Fund (BPF) Grant Program
08/17/2023   Russia-Belarus Law: Temporary Suspension of Enforcement
08/11/2023   New DCA Rulemaking: Uniform Construction Code and Historic Preservatio
08/08/2023   LFN 2023-14 Pay-to-Play Law Update (Elections Transparency Act)
07/28/2023   Marriage License Reimbursement (MLR) Program - Submission Deadline
07/25/2023   Special Notice - VRC - Records Storage Contract Assignment
07/12/2023   Murphy Administration Launches Infrastructure Resiliency Program
07/06/2023   Design Build Procurements - Prime Bidder Requirements
06/30/2023   FY 2023 LEAP Grant Awards
06/06/2023   GPANJ Educational Symposium - September 13-15
05/23/2023   New LFN with Updated Guidance on the Russia-Belarus & Iran Laws
05/09/2023   CY2022 Audit Deadline Extension; GASB 68 & 75 for Municipal and County
05/09/2023   ARP Project & Expenditure Reports Filing Deadline
05/04/2023   LFN 2023-09 LIHWAP and Winter Termination Programs
05/01/2023   FAST Authority and Housing Authority Audit Module
05/01/2023   Resilient Communities Program

Last Day To Register - Governor's Conference on Housing and Economic D - 09/20/2023

You are invited to attend the 2023 Governor's Conference on Housing and Economic Development, hosted by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority.

The event will be held on September 28-29, 2023, at the Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City's Harrah's Resort.

The conference is entirely self-funded through registration fees and sponsorship opportunities.

Registration is now open, and you can find more information or register: https://web.cvent.com/event/252cc953-ec02-4f92-b169-6664cf571d9b/summary

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New Workplace Accountability in Labor List (The WALL) - 09/08/2023

P.L. 2019, c. 366 (N.J.S.A. 34:1A-1.16) authorized the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) to create a list on its website, dubbed the Workplace Accountability in Labor List (The WALL), of any person found in violation of any State wage, benefit, and tax laws and against whom a final order has been issued by the NJDOL for such violation.  Any person or business named on The WALL is prohibited from contracting with any contracting unit until the liability for violations of State wage, benefit, and tax laws have been paid in full. 

The WALL is now live at https://www.nj.gov/labor/ea/osec/wall.shtml. A Local Finance Notice will be issued to provide local governments and boards of education with further implementation guidance. Pending further guidance, Local Public Contracts Law and Public School Contracts Law contracting units must cross-check prospective contractor and vendor names against the WALL before awarding any contract over the quote threshold. A contract cannot be awarded to any contractor or vendor appearing on the WALL.

Please note that contracting units must continue to check applicable debarment lists as part of their procurement process. Although a person or business has been removed from The WALL, that there may be other reasons why they remain ineligible for public contracting. For example, a business may be debarred for a period of time under the New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act.

Any questions about The WALL or a given person's status for purposes of The WALL should be directed to the NJDOL Office of Strategic Enforcement and Compliance at OSECInquiries@dol.nj.gov or 609-376-4952.

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Free ARP LFRF Consulting Services for Counties and Municipalities - 09/01/2023

FREE Consulting Services Available for American Rescue Plan's Local Fiscal Recovery Fund

Take advantage of the FREE consulting services offered by the State of the New Jersey's Governor's Disaster Recovery Office. Four consulting firms that specialize in disaster recovery and local operations are available FREE to counties and municipalities to advise on use and compliance issues with Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (LFRF). Among other advice, the consultants can provide information related to the following questions:

- Are our disaster recovery programs constructed properly to ensure maximum impact?

- Are we compliant with US Treasury Final Rule and related guidance?

- Are we compliant with 2 CFR Part 200?

- Are our procurements compliant with the applicable provisions of 2 CFR Part 200?

- Are we ready for a potential audit from US Treasury's Office of Inspector General?

- Do we have a system of internal control to ensure proper review?

- How can we advance projects and use funds related to the new interim final rule which expands eligibility to now include disaster relief, surface transportation infrastructure, and Title I projects?

To avail yourself to the FREE consulting services, email us at GOVGDRO@nj.gov and we will contact you to discuss the streamlined process for bringing on a FREE consultant.

GDRO looks forward to hearing from and supporting counties and municipalities that may have questions related to LFRF awards.

 

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Marriage License Reimbursement Program (MLR)) - Period January 1, 2023 - 08/29/2023

On August 29, the New Department of Treasury processed reimbursements to municipalities that filed for reimbursement through the Marriage License Reimbursement Program (MLR). The MLR program reimburses municipalities $3.00 per marriage license application taken between January 1, 2023 - June 30, 2023. The reimbursement payments will reflect in the municipal banking accounts on or about August 30, 2023. Any questions regarding these payments are to be directed to your municipality's Registrar of Vital Statistics. Please do not call the New Jersey Department of Treasury. Any further questions that cannot be answered by your Registrar of Vital Statistics can be directed to MLR@dca.nj.gov.

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Boardwalk Preservation Fund (BPF) Grant Program - 08/24/2023

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation (DRM) is administering the Boardwalk Preservation Fund (BPF) grant program. Federal funding in the amount of $100,000,000 is made available through the American Recue Plan, State Fiscal Recovery Funds. If you are a coastal community or county, and have a boardwalk, you may be eligible for grant funding. DRM is hosting an online information and training session at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29th about the program. If you would like to attend the session, please email Narkide.Andre@dca.nj.gov and include:

- Organization Name

- Contact Name

- Email

- Phone number

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Russia-Belarus Law: Temporary Suspension of Enforcement - 08/17/2023

P.L. 2022, c. 3, signed into law on March 9, 2022, required the State Department of the Treasury (Treasury) to develop, based on credible information available to the public, a list of persons and entities engaging in prohibited activities in Russia or Belarus (Russia-Belarus list). On August 4, 2023, a company obtained a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, which enjoins the State from enforcing N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1 against that company on the ground that the statute is likely inconsistent with federal law. Due to the ongoing litigation, Treasury has removed the Russia-Belarus list from its website, and the State (along with its agencies and instrumentalities) has voluntarily suspended further implementation of the Russia-Belarus law until further order of the Court.

While the State continues to defend the law in court, in light of the Court's decision and the Russia-Belarus list being taken down, contracting units under the Local Public Contracts Law, Public School Contracts Law, and County College Contracts Law are not required to enforce the Russia-Belarus vendor/contractor certification requirement at this time.

At this time, the Russia-Belarus list also does not apply to redeveloper designations under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq.) and to agreements for payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOTs) or other municipal property tax abatements. This could change based upon future legal developments. Please review the Treasury Notice at https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/administration/pdf/NoticeRussia.pdf for further information. 

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New DCA Rulemaking: Uniform Construction Code and Historic Preservatio - 08/11/2023

Proposed amendments and new rules on the following subjects have been issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. For either of these rulemakings, please submit written comments by October 6, 2023, via email to geraldine.callahan@dca.nj.gov or by regular mail to:

Geraldine Callahan

Department of Community Affairs

PO Box 800

Trenton, New Jersey 08625

Fax No. (609) 984-6696

DIVISION OF CODES AND STANDARDS

Uniform Construction Code

Proposed New Rule: N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.16

Proposed Amendment: N.J.A.C. 5:23-1.4, 2.17A, 2.18, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.12, 4.14, 4.17, and 4.18

Proposed New Rule N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.16: https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/codreg/pdf_rule_proposals/prop_DCA_5_23_supp.pdf

Proposed Amendments to Subchapters 1, 2, and 4 of N.J.A.C. 5:23: https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/codreg/pdf_rule_proposals/prop_DCA_5_23_supp.pdf

The Department of Community Affairs (Department) seeks to amend the Uniform Construction Code to incorporate the requirements at P.L. 2022, c. 139 (https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2022/PL22/139_.PDF), regarding supplemental private on-site inspection agencies. Specifically, the proposed rulemaking provides for expanded use by enforcing agencies of shared services or private on-site inspection agencies, and allows for contractors to utilize private on-site inspection agencies where a municipality fails to meet the required timeframe to perform an inspection.

NEW JERSEY HISTORIC TRUST

Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund Grants Proposed Amendments: N.J.A.C. 5:101-1.3, 2.1through 2.9, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 4.1, and 5.1 Proposed New Rules: N.J.A.C. 5:101-2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13, 2.14, 2.17, 2.18, 2.19, 2.22, 2.23, 2.24, 3.6, 3.7, 3.10, 3.11, and 3.12

Proposed Amendments and New Rules: https://www.nj.gov/dca/njht/documents/about/PRN%202023-078%20(55%20N.J.R.%201599(a)).pdf

This rulemaking includes a series of proposed amendments to the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund Grants rules, N.J.A.C. 5:101. Following the voter-approved ballot reference in 2014 to dedicate a portion of the corporate business tax, P.L. 2016, c. 12, and subsequently P.L. 2019, c. 136, were enacted to implement the funding for Open Space, Farmland, and Historic Preservation. In addition to its regular program, this implementing legislation enabled the New Jersey Historic Trust ("Historic Trust" or "Trust") to use its funding to purchase historic preservation easements and to establish funding for emergency intervention. The proposed amendments implement these two changes. In addition, new sections have been added to aid applicants in submitting applications for heritage tourism and municipal, county, and regional (MCRP) planning activities. While the Historic Trust has funded both heritage and local planning grants as part of its regular planning grant offering, these new sections were added to clarify and address specific application and criteria requirements that differentiate them from the historic sites management grants. A new project category, special projects, was added to aid the Historic Trust's ability to address larger, more regional preservation needs in the State. Throughout the chapter, "construction" and "project" are replaced with "capital" and "grant," respectively.

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LFN 2023-14 Pay-to-Play Law Update (Elections Transparency Act) - 08/08/2023

The Elections Transparency Act (P.L. 2023, c. 30) made various significant changes to New Jersey's pay-to-play laws. Local Finance Notice 2023-14 explains the law and its impacts on non-fair and open contract awards, along with other areas such as the elimination of local pay-to-play policies. Links to newly updated pay-to-play model forms are also provided. Local Finance Notice 2013-14 is available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dlgs/lfns/23/2023-14.pdf.

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Marriage License Reimbursement (MLR) Program - Submission Deadline - 07/28/2023

The FY 2023 Marriage License Reimbursement (MLR) Program has expired on Friday, June 30, 2023.

Submission of marriage license fee reimbursements for the period of January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2023, are due no later than Monday, July 31, 2023. Excel file submissions along with Registrar certifications can be sent to: mlr@dca.nj.gov. A copy of the excel template is attached.

Any questions regarding the marriage license reimbursement program can be directed to: mlr@dca.nj.gov.

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Special Notice - VRC - Records Storage Contract Assignment - 07/25/2023

Master Blanket Purchase Order (Blanket P.O./Contract) # 020-GNSV2-01186, awarded to Infostore Records Management, has been assigned to VRC Companies LLC as Blanket P.O./Contract # 24-GNSV2-51689.

VRC Companies LLC will now provide the services required under Bid Solicitation T1128 - Record Storage and Retrieval (DARM).

NOTE: Blanket P.O./Contract # 24-GNSV2-51689 will be opened for a period of ten (10) business days for Payment Only, commencing on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, and expiring on Tuesday, August 8, 2023.

**Please be advised, if Purchase Orders are created during this time period, they will be subject to a forthcoming price increase at the time of extension.

The Division of Purchase and Property is working to extend the current Blanket P.O./Contract, to prevent a lapse in service.

More information will be forthcoming.

Blanket P.O./Contract # 24-GNSV2-51689 will become visible in the system on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Please use the following steps to access the new contract in NJSTART:

-              Go to: www.njstart.gov

-              Select "Active Blankets"

-              In the search bar, select "Blankets" from the drop-down menu

-              Enter the 24-GNSV2-51689 and click "search"

You will find all pertinent documents there, which will include the Assignment Amendment (T1128 Amendment 12 7.25.23) For NJSTART Agency assistance, please contact NJSTARTagency.support@treas.nj.gov

VRC will issue invoices.

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Murphy Administration Launches Infrastructure Resiliency Program - 07/12/2023

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has launched the Resilient Communities Program, a Hurricane Ida recovery program that helps local governmental entities such as counties and municipalities make public infrastructure such as roads, drainage systems, and buildings more resilient to current and future natural hazards.

The Resilient Communities Program is the fifth Ida recovery program that DCA has launched and is part of the third phase of the Murphy Administration's Ida Recovery Strategy, which is focused on helping households and communities still in need of assistance from the damaging effects of Hurricane Ida, which hit New Jersey in September 2021.

"In addition to helping local communities recover from Hurricane Ida, we want to lessen the impacts of future disasters by strengthening infrastructure and putting resiliency measures in place," said Lt.

Governor Sheila Oliver, who serves as DCA Commissioner.  "The Resilient Communities Program is designed to help local governments achieve these objectives through financial and technical assistance. We strongly encourage cities, towns, and counties that were impacted by Ida to apply for these grant funds."

DCA's Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation is administering the Resilient Communities Program, which is being funded with federal Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) monies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, special districts, and federally recognized tribal governments within the counties that HUD and the State identified as most impacted and distressed by Hurricane Ida. Those counties are Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union, and Warren. Each applicant is eligible to apply for no more than one distinct resiliency project. Exceptions to this may be made for multi-jurisdiction applications.

Eligible project activities may include but are not limited to structure elevation; construction or reconstruction of infrastructure; installation of public works and other facilities; structural retrofitting; infrastructure retrofits; property demolition; dry floodproofing; and property acquisition and relocation.

Applications will be scored based on whether the project includes such Resilient Communities Program priorities as:

- Mitigates flooding risk to public infrastructure, people, and property;

- Protects and benefits disadvantaged communities;

- Is a cost-effective solution to natural hazard risk;

- Promotes resiliency through ancillary or triple bottom line benefits (social, environmental, and economic benefits);

- Considers climate change and future conditions;

- Leverages federal, state, and local partnerships;

- Is designed and scoped with public input and meaningful stakeholder engagement;

- Can be feasibly implemented and completed within the budget and timeframe required;

- Incorporates nature-based solutions; and

- Is ready for construction to begin within a short time.

The application period opened on June 28th and closes on December 15, 2023.

Local governmental entities can learn more about the program online https://www.nj.gov/dca/ddrm/programs/ida/infrastructure.shtml. They can also email ResilientCommunities@dca.nj.gov for more information.

Additional programs are being developed and will open in the coming months. For more information on DCA's Ida recovery programs, people can visit https://www.nj.gov/dca/ddrm/programs/ida/index.shtml.

The Hurricane Ida Housing Counseling and Legal Services Program remains open. The program provides a wide range of supportive services to both renters and homeowners who were impacted by Hurricane Ida to help them recover from the storm. The services include assessing housing needs, reviewing household finances, identifying available resources, and helping people complete applications for disaster recovery programs. People can learn more about the Housing Counseling and Legal Services Program online at https://www.nj.gov/dca/ddrm/programs/ida/legal_services_HCS.shtml. People can also call (609) 913-4463 or email DRM.HCS@dca.nj.gov for more information about accessing the services.

All of the Ida recovery programs that DCA administers are included in New Jersey's HUD-approved Hurricane Ida Action Plan for the $228 million in CDBG-DR funding awarded for Ida recovery. The Action Plan was developed in consultation with residents, county and municipal officials, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders in New Jersey, as well as with input DCA received from thousands of people who completed the Hurricane Ida Registration at https://www.nj.gov/dca/ddrm/home/idaregistration.shtml

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Design Build Procurements - Prime Bidder Requirements - 07/06/2023

There have been reports that some municipalities are allowing Contractors to bid on Design-Build projects who are not DPMC classified in the Design Build trade (C007) and therefore are not approved to perform work as a Design Build Contractor in accordance with P.L. 2021, c. 71. For Design Build projects undertaken by local governments and boards of education, N.J.A.C. 5:34-10.7(5) requires the bidder on a project to be classified with DPMC in the Design-Build trade (C007). No other DPMC trade classifications are allowable or appropriate for the prime contractor/bidder on a Design-Build project. See the DLGS Design-Build regulations at for further details. In the near future, DLGS will be issuing a Local Finance Notice with further guidance on the design build process.

 

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FY 2023 LEAP Grant Awards - 06/30/2023

Murphy Administration Announces More Than $4.6 Million in

Local Government Grant Awards in 2023 under the Shared Service Czar Program

LEAP Grants Are Designed to Promote and Encourage the Sharing of Services

 

TRENTON, NJ - The Murphy Administration and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' (DCA) Division of Local Government Services (DLGS9)today announced the award of 24 Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP) grants this year to local governmental entities across New Jersey. These grants, totaling $4.681 million, will help local governments pursue shared services initiatives to reduce taxpayer costs and enhance services. The grant awards will support the County Coordinator Fellowship program underway in several New Jersey counties while encouraging the design and implementation of a variety of shared services activities, including public safety, emergency dispatch, sanitation, public works, sewerage and wastewater services, and school feasibility studies.

"Shared services are a great solution for municipalities, enabling them to provide important services while also alleviating the financial burden on local taxpayers," said Governor Murphy. "These grants exemplify our Administration's continuous commitment to making New Jersey a more affordable state for our residents, and I look forward to more programs from DCA in the future that support our communities."

"I am pleased to see how successful the LEAP program has been for municipalities," said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who serves as DCA Commissioner. "More and more local entities are realizing how beneficial shared services can be and how by working collaboratively to pursue shared services, they can operate more efficiently and ensure better delivery of services for their residents."

The LEAP program is comprised of three grant opportunities: 

Challenge Grants, which promote innovation and collaboration on more expansive projects that produce shared services of notable significance. Implementation Grants, which assist in covering costs associated with the implementation of shared services and school feasibility studies, and County Coordinator Fellowship Grants, which support the position of a full- time or part-time County Shared Service Coordinator to identify and advance potential shared services within a county.

"Shared Services have reduced operational costs while simultaneously providing operational efficiencies and better services in local governments across the state," said DLGS Director Jacquelyn Suarez. "In partnership with the Governor's Shared Service Czars, we have helped execute over 2,200 shared services agreements with over $110 million in cost savings and enhanced services. Some of the largest cost savings have occurred in the sharing of correctional facilities, municipal courts, and police dispatch."

In 2018, Governor Murphy appointed two former Mayors, Nicolas Platt and Jordan Glatt, to serve as Shared Services Czars. They work closely with DLGS, who established the Local Assistance Bureau (LAB), which provides technical assistance for each step of the shared services process from identification through implementation. The LAB team is comprised of municipal professionals who possess expertise and accumulated knowledge, skill sets and insights to bring an inventive and professional outlook to the field of municipal shared services. "We are very pleased to see the positive impact this is having on so many municipalities throughout New Jersey," said Mayor Platt. "This program is closely following the Governor's original vision five years ago when he placed shared services at the top of this agenda as a way to address our state's crippling property tax burden," added Mayor Glatt.

A full list of the recipients, including grant award, is posted at: https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dlgs/programs/leapgrants.html

Local governments interested in learning more about shared services can send an email to localassistance@dca.nj.gov or visit www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dlgs/programs/lab.html.

The DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, local government management and finance, and disaster recovery.

 

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/

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GPANJ Educational Symposium - September 13-15 - 06/06/2023

The Governmental Purchasing Association of New Jersey (GPANJ) will be holding its Annual Educational Symposium September 13-15, 2023 at the Tropicana Hotel (Grand Exhibit Center) in Atlantic City, NJ.  CEU's have been approved by DCA for the following certifications: QPA, RMC, CMFO/CCFO, CTC, and CPWM; Credits have also been approved by Rutgers for RPPO and RPPS Certifications. Meals are included in the registration fee and one day registration options are available for those who cannot attend the entire conference. Additional details, including the schedule of sessions with CEU credits, on-line registration, the NJ Dept. of Education Travel Waiver, and discount hotel information is available at: http://www.gpanj.com. For additional information, registrants can contact Linda Carpenter via email at Linda.Carpenter@rocketmail.com

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New LFN with Updated Guidance on the Russia-Belarus & Iran Laws - 05/23/2023

Local Finance Notice 2023-11 provides updated guidance on laws concerning persons or entities engaging in prohibited activities in Russia or Belarus, or engaging in prohibited investment activities in Iran. Available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dlgs/lfns/23/2023-11.pdf, this Notice supersedes and replaces in its entirety Local Finance Notice 2022-24 that was originally issued on December 28, 2022.

Local Finance Notice 2023-11 contains updated guidance concerning the Russia-Belarus and Iran laws on topics such as purchase orders, cooperative purchasing, emergency procurement, BPU-regulated utility companies, and the appropriate dollar threshold for requiring vendor certifications. Please review the Notice in its entirety. A revised model combined Russia-Belarus and Iran certification, which eliminates the need for a vendor to insert the name of the contracting unit, is also available at  https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dlgs/programs/lpcl_docs/Russia-Belarus and Iran Combined Certification.docx.

Notice sent to: Procurement Officials; County and Municipal CFOs; Administrators/Managers; Municipal Clerks; Clerks - County Boards of Commissioners; Authority Officials; Fire District Officials; Auditors; LFB Listserv

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CY2022 Audit Deadline Extension; GASB 68 & 75 for Municipal and County - 05/09/2023

The Director of DLGS has extended to September 29, 2023 the deadline for all local units with a calendar year budget cycle to complete and file their 2022 audits.  This extension applies to counties, calendar year municipalities, and all calendar year authorities, including fire districts. The Order is available on the DLGS Rules and Regulations webpage. 

For the annual audits of counties and calendar year municipalities only, the Division is authorizing inclusion of the GASB 68 and GASB 75 information most recently published by the Division of Pensions and Benefits.

Counties and calendar year municipalities do not need to wait for the 2022 audited GASB 68 & GASB 75 information to be issued before completing and filing their audits. Authorities and fire districts are still required to include the 2022 audited GASB 68 and GASB 75 information in their CY2022 audits.

Please review Local Finance Notice 2023-10 for further details at  https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dlgs/lfns/23/2023-10.pdf.

 

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ARP Project & Expenditure Reports Filing Deadline - 05/09/2023

Filing Deadline with U.S. Treasury - April 30, 2023 - with DLGS - May 12, 2023

As a follow-up to the DLGS Egg Notice distributed on April 3, 2023, in accordance with Governor Murphy's Executive Order 267 dated October 8, 2021, and outlined in LFN 2022-08 dated March 2, 2022, municipalities and counties are required to provide DLGS with a copy of all Project and Expenditure Reports filed with U.S. Treasury.  All Project & Expenditure Reports for period ending March 31, 2023, that were due to U.S. Treasury by April 30, 2023, shall be submitted to DLGS at lfrf.reporting@dca.nj.gov no later than Friday May 12, 2023. See attached list of counties and municipalities that have not filed their Project & Expenditure Reports with DLGS for period ending March 31, 2023.

If your county or municipality is not on the attached listing, please do not re-file.

Counties and metropolitan cities that failed to submit to DLGS the Project & Expenditure Reports filed with U.S Treasury for the period ending December 31, 2022, shall file those reports with DLGS immediately.  

The latest U.S. Treasury Project & Expenditure Report User Guide (April 2023) can be found at https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Apr-2023-PE-Report-User-Guide.pdf.

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LFN 2023-09 LIHWAP and Winter Termination Programs - 05/04/2023

Local Finance Notice 2023-09 explains recent legislation on the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) and the Winter Termination Program.

The Notice is available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dlgs/lfns/23/2023-09.pdf and explains local unit obligations under both programs.

LIHWAP is a federally funded program that provides funds to assist low-income households with water and sewer bills.  To be eligible for LIHWAP benefits, the household must be responsible for their own water/sewer costs and have a gross income that falls at or below 60% of the New Jersey State Median Income level.  The Winter Termination Program allows eligible residential customers to avoid service shutoff from November 15 through March 15 for non-payment of water, sewer, or electric service.

Local unit officials are encouraged to review the Notice closely.

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FAST Authority and Housing Authority Audit Module - 05/01/2023

The Authority and Housing Authority Audit Module is now available in the FAST portal. All Authority and Housing Authority audit reports beginning with FY 2022 and CY 2022 and forward are required to be submitted to the Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) through an upload in the FAST module. 

To complete the audit submission in FAST, the Auditor of Record must first upload the Audit, Audit Questionnaire, and any other supporting documentation. Once complete, the Auditor of Record will submit their portion of the audit. Auditors of Record with existing FAST access can have authorities added to their account by requesting access in FAST. 

Only after submission by the Auditor, an authority official (Chief Financial Officer, Executive Director, or equivalent) must upload the Audit Resolution, Audit Affidavit, Proof of Publication of Synopsis of Audit, and Corrective Action Plan (if applicable). Once uploaded, the designated authority official will submit their portion of the Audit. Authority officials who have submitted the authority budget will be able to submit the audit without the need for any additional FAST access. 

An Authority's designated official is not able to complete this process until the Auditor of Record has fully completed their portion of the Audit submission. The Audit submission process is not considered complete until the authority official has submitted. There is no data entry that takes place directly in the portal. 

Please refer to the Authority and Housing Authority Audit User Guide for detailed instructions:

https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dlgs/pdf/Authority%20and%20Housing%20Authority%20Audit%20User%20Guide.pdf

For technical questions regarding the FAST Authority and Housing Authority Audit module, please contact Matt Gallello at matthew.gallello@dca.nj.gov.

Municipal officials, please forward to the Authority and Housing Authority Officials for those authorities located in your municipalities.

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Resilient Communities Program - 05/01/2023

In June 2023, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will launch the Resilient Communities Program (RCP), a grant program that provides up to $5 million to local governments and municipalities for eligible projects to restore and strengthen storm-damaged communities.

Funded by Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the program is designed to support the efforts of local governments to strengthen community infrastructure to withstand future storms.

RCP is a competitive grant program designed to fund public infrastructure projects that focus on recovery and resilience, by reducing the risk of damage from future storms and other flood-related natural hazards.

Program Priorities

Projects will be assessed based on the following priorities:

  1. Mitigates risks to public infrastructure, people, and property
  2. Protects and benefits disadvantaged communities
  3. Cost-effective solutions to natural hazard risks
  4. Meets budgetary and timeframe requirements
  5. Leverages federal, state, and local partnerships
  6. Considers climate change and future conditions
  7. Incorporates community and stakeholder feedback
  8. Integrates nature-based solutions
  9. Generated from a previous qualifying award

Eligibility

To apply for the program, local governments must be located in one of the following storm impacted counties:

Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Passaic, Somerset, Union, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris, Warren

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Updated: 09/20/2023