1. Free Informational Webinar
COVID Update: Municipal Guidance and Update on Legislation
Thursday, March 26, 2020
3:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Location: Your Computer
We expect a series of new guidance documents from the Division of Local Government Services. At the same time the Legislature is working quickly on a bill that will impact deadlines affecting the Local Budget Law, the Local Fiscal Affairs Law, the Local Authorities Fiscal Control Law, and the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL.) In addition, the State Budget Director has frozen $900million in State expenditures. We will review all this and more importantly your questions.
Please send your questions in advance to DHolland@njlm.org with the subject line “COVID-19.”
Registration Information for Webinar
If you have any questions regarding the webinar please contact:
Danielle Holland-Htut at 609-695-3481 ext 118 or dholland@njlm.org
2. Budget Deadline Extended, Levy Cap Exemption & Estimated Tax Bills
In response to COVID-19 the Division of Local Government Services issued Local Finance Notice 2020-07 providing emergency budget, levy cap exemption, tax bill and depositing fund guidance. Please see our blog post for information. We strongly recommend you review this Local Finance Notice with your Chief Financial Officer, Tax Collector, and Administrator.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Senior Legislative Analyst, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x112.
3. State Freezes Spending
In the wake of COVID-19 State Treasurer Muoio issued a new
voluntary disclosure statement to bond holders providing detail on the potential impact COVID-19 may have on the State’s finances, including revenue collection and pension fund contributions. The disclosure statement also noted that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget on Friday placed $920,613,854 of appropriation into reserve in order to ensure sufficient cash and budget authority to meet emergency and statutorily required obligations. Included among the items was $141,851, 261 from Homestead Benefit Program; $4,782,689 from Senior Freeze Program; and $44,738,465 from Municipal Aid Programs. We understand that the municipal aid programs is primarily transitional aid for municipalities that operate on a fiscal year calendar. For a full list of FY2020 spending items placed in reserve please see the
Treasurer’s notice.
The State Treasurer also noted that the state expects a decline in revenues in Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2021, which include significant reductions in gross income tax revenues, corporate business tax revenues, and sales tax revenue, motor fuels taxes and casino-related taxes. Lottery sales have already started to decline and it is anticipated that trend will continue.
We will continue to keep you posted on the impact COVID-19 will have on the State budget.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Senior Legislative Analyst,
lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x112.
4. Order Expands Essential Retail Businesses & Addresses Boardwalk/Beach Accesses
Colonel Callahan, in his role as State Director of Emergency Management, issued
an Administrative Order expanding the essential retail businesses to include the following:
- Mobile phone retail and repair shops
- Bicycle shops, but only to provide service and repair
- Livestock feed stores
- Nurseries and garden centers
- Farming equipment stores
An essential retail business is permitted to remain open during their during normal business hours provided they adhere to the social distancing guidelines as outlined in Executive Order 107.
In addition the order clarified that municipalities have the discretion to impose additional restrictions to local beaches and boardwalks in response to COVID-19.
The order took effect immediately.
Contact: Michael F. Cerra, Assistant Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x120.
5. Earn Ethics CEU’s Online!
Preventing Sexual Harassment in Your Municipal Workplace Webinar
Friday, April 17, 2020
11:00a.m.-12:15p.m.
Location: Your Computer
CEUs: CMFO/CCFO-1.5 Eth;CTC-1.5 Eth;CPWM-1.5 Eth;RMC-1.5 Eth;QPA-1.5 Eth;NJCLE-1.5 Eth; RPPO/RPPS-1.0 Eth; Planning/Zoning Board Secretary-1.0 Admin; Zoning Officier-1.0 Admin; Land Use Administrator-1.0 Admin
Event Details for April 17 Preventing Sexual Harassment Webinar
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