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February 4, 2022
I. State Issues
II. Federal Issues
III. COVID-19 Update
IV. Also of Interest
Municipal Clerks: Please forward to your Mayor, Governing Body and Department Heads.
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I. State Issues
a. Department of Community Affairs Announces Transitional Aid Application Processes
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has announced that the Transitional Aid Application process has opened for municipalities operating on the calendar year budget. Any calendar year municipality wishing to apply for the aid must notify the Division of Local Government Services by email no later than March 4, 2022.
New Applicants
CY 2022 Transitional Aid Program is available for CY 2022 municipalities that have severe structural difficulties and anticipate difficulties making payments toward nondiscretionary or critical obligations such as, debt service, contractual obligations, and payroll. To apply for this aid municipalities must:
Submit to broad State oversight of hiring, procurement, and other matters. Enact or strengthen comprehensive pay-to-play ordinances. Perform reasonable revaluations or reassessments of property as required by law. Submit to additional fiscal control measures as may be directed by the DLGS.
Applicants who are awarded aid will be required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Division acknowledging state oversight and committing to compliance. Sample memorandums are available in Local Finance Notice 2022-3.
Mayors and chief administrative officers of new municipal applicants are required to attend a mandatory orientation meeting to discuss the conditions and application process for Transitional Aid. Orientation will take place at a date and time agreed upon by the applicant and the DLGS. The deadline for this application will be accepted no later than April 1, 2022.
CY 2021 Transitional Aid Recipients Applying in CY 2022
Municipalities that received Transitional Aid in CY 2021 and are operating under a memorandum of understanding through the end of 2022 will be eligible for early termination of the terms of the MOU if they sign an agreement not to apply for additional aid for CY 2023 and for the next two budget years. These municipalities are encouraged to contact the DLGS Director to make application for early termination. Municipalities currently operating under a Transitional Aid MOU are advised that funding will likely decrease from last year.
Transitional Aid is designed as short-term gap financing to assist municipalities through temporary fiscal crises and it is not intended to provide long-term budgetary supplementation. Applicants seeking level or increased funding must include a letter from the mayor addressing why they failed to reduce their need for funding. These municipalities, if applying for CY 2022 TA, must certify that they are in substantial compliance with the conditions and requirements of their 2021 MOU.
The League recommends reviewing all criteria under Local Finance Notice 2022-3 with your administrator before summiting any CY 2022 Transitional Aid materials.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.
b. New Jersey Reaches 100% Participation in National Opioid Settlement
With the deadline for participation in the National Opioid Settlement passed and we are pleased to report that all 21 counties in New Jersey and all 241 municipalities that have a population over 10,000 or that filed related lawsuits, have signed onto the settlement agreement.
100% participation from counties and municipalities puts New Jersey on track to receive over $641 million, the maximum amount available under the settlements, for use in combating the Opioid epidemic. The defendant companies are expected to announce by February 25, whether the deal will go forward with the first tranche of funds set to be distributed sometime thereafter.
For more information please see the press release from the State Attorney General’s Office.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137. |
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II. Federal Issues
a. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook Released
The Biden Administration released a Guidebook to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for state and local leaders. The guidebook lists what funding is available in a program-by-program format with deadlines for transportation projects; climate, energy and the environment; broadband funding; and other programs including regional commission programs, solid waste management and recycling, as well as funding available in this law from other federal departments.
We encourage you to review this information with your municipal administrators and CFOs to ascertain what funding may be available for your municipality. As a reminder, please ensure your municipality’s SAM.gov and DUNS information is up-to-date.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110.
b. US DOT Announces RAISE Funding Application
The US Department of Transportation announced the availability of $1.5 billion in discretionary funding from the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Municipalities are eligible to apply for this funding.
For more information, including the application and deadline, please read the League’s recent blog post.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110.
c. Federal Budget Deadline Approaches
Last December, President Joe Biden signed a continuing resolution to fund the government through February 18, 2022. While there is talk among congressional leadership and Senate and House budget officers about the parameters of an omnibus bill to fund the government for the full fiscal year, it is unlikely to occur by the deadline and congress will need to pass, and President Biden will need to sign another continuing resolution while the omnibus bill details are being finalized.
With two weeks until the deadline, this is an evolving situation and we will update as developments warrant.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110. |
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III. COVID-19 Update
At this week’s briefing Governor Murphy noted that the numbers are suggesting that the omnicom cases are on the downturn, however, the Administration is remaining vigilant; that the overall sentiment is we are on the road from pandemic to endemic; and highlighted the New Jersey athletes competing for Team USA in the Olympics. Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli noted that New Jersey has one of the highest vaccination rates in the country with 90% of eligible New Jersey residents have received at least one dose. In addition, Pfizer has submitted to the Food and Drug Administration an emergency authorization to provide two-dose vaccine to those age 6 months to 4 years old.
COVID Data for Friday, February 4, 2022: - 2,709 new positive cases for a total of 1,838,073 confirmed cases
- 104 new confirmed deaths for a total of 28,949 confirmed deaths
- The rate of transmission is at 0.55
- 33 new outbreaks linked within the school setting. This brings the statewide total number of outbreaks directly related to in-school activity since mid-August 2020 to 465 outbreaks linked to 3,138 school outbreaks.
- 13,492,108 vaccine doses have been administered, including 7,581,670 who have received at least one dose, and 6,413,286 who are fully vaccinated. In addition, the following additional doses have been administered: 1,505,975 of Pfizer, 1,248,098 of Moderna, and 59,710 of J&J.
Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program Begins Monday
As a reminder, beginning Monday, February 8, registration will open for a new Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) program from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA). Under this new program, eligible homeowners can receive up to $35,000 to cover mortgage arrearages, delinquent property taxes, and other housing costs delinquencies for those who were negatively impacted by the pandemic. Free housing counseling will also be available through ERMA to assist homeowners in applying for assistance as well as guide them through all available options. The ERMA application portal will open for applications at www.njerma.com at 9 a.m. on February 8, 2022. Individuals can also call 855-647-7700 for assistance.
Vaccine Information
The NJ Department of Health and Vault Medical Service have partnered on a free at-home COVID-19 saliva testing program. This free PCR test will be shipped via UPS with next day delivery. Once received, individuals will connect via Zoom with a Vault healthcare professional who will guide them through the test and answer any questions. When completed, the test can be sent back in a prepaid package via UPS next day shipping. Test results are received 24 to 48 hours after the sample arrives at the lab. Free test kits can be requested at https://learn.vaulthealth.com/nj/.
In addition, the federal government has made available free rapid COVID-19 tests to be shipped within 7-12 days of ordering. Tests can be ordered at www.COVIDTests.gov. Every home is eligible to order four free at home COVID-19 tests.
Homebound residents who have not yet connected with their local health department, or a home health agency and who need an in-home vaccination should visit www.covid19.nj.gov/homeboundvax or contact the call center at 855-568-0545.
The Department of Health is providing access to individuals' COVID vaccination records through NJ Docket, a secure and free smartphone app, which is CDC approved.
Contacts:
IV. Also of Interest
a. Inclusive Healthy Communities (IHC) Grant Program
The NJ Division of Disability Services has released its Request for Proposals for grants pursuant to its Inclusive Healthy Communities (IHC) grant program.
The IHC program is a highly innovative initiative of the Division of Disability Services that provides grants to local governments and non-profit organizations to advance inclusion of people with disabilities to advance healthy communities. IHC's core principles include a commitment to health equity, sustainable policy/systems/environmental change, and equity/diversity and inclusion. Priorities include initiatives that: focus on populations that may face other forms of discrimination and historically underserved locations, leverage other funds, and/or employ people with disabilities at a fair wage.
Please note that applicants must attend one of three identical virtual workshops that will be held on February 14, 18, and 24. Letters of intent to apply are due on March 7 and full proposals are due on March 23. You can learn more about the IHC program at Rutgers website.
Contact: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120.
b. Louis Bay 2nd Future Municipal Leadership Scholarship Competition
The League of Municipalities is proud to have announced the Louis Bay 2nd Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition for high school juniors and seniors planning to continue their education after high school. We look forward to having you play a significant role in this exciting venture. As a gentle reminder, please take some time to review your promotional kit explaining your part in promoting this scholarship, how the application process works, how the selection process works, and some suggestions for coordinating your actions in time fashion. March 2 is quickly approaching and is the deadline to have put together your judging committee. You can find the other deadlines in “Suggested Time Frames” under the “The Mayor’s Involvement” section.
We look forward to hearing from your municipality and raising interest in future municipal leaders!
Contact: Ciara Bradley, Legislative Administrator, CBradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x128.
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