October 15, 2025

State Issues

Municipal & County Budget Cap Information for Calendar Year 2026

DLGS has issued cap information for calendar year 2026 municipal and county budgets.

Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

DLGS Issues Local Finance Notice on the 2026 Fire District Budget Process

The Division of Local Government Services recently issued Local Finance Notice 2025-15 providing guidance on the 2026 fire district budget process, including the budget submission process and other key updates.

Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

DCA Announces New Web Portal for Home Builders and Homebuyers

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has announced plans to launch an online portal for new home builders and homebuyers in early 2026.

Contact: Sadayah Q. DuRant-Brown, Legislative Counsel, sdurantbrown@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.

Reminder: Best Practices Inventory Due Oct 24

The Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) has issued Local Finance Notice 2025-13 regarding the Best Practices Inventory due on October 24 for all municipalities, including state fiscal year municipalities.

Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Complete the BPPT Survey Questionnaire Today

Please complete the League recently released the Business Personal Property Tax (BPPT) survey questionnaire. Please complete the League’s BPPT Survey Questionnaire by October 31 to help the League with proposed legislative language.

Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

DEP Warns of Bear Activity

The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is reminding the public of increased bear activity ahead of winter denning.

Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Lame Duck Preview Lunch & Learn

Please join onthe League Octonober 31 at noon for a Lame Duck Preview Lunch & Learn, where we highlight bills of municipal interest that may be acted on during the remainder of the legislative term.

Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

NJ Municipalities Blog: Pennsauken Opens New Municipal Building 

This week, NJ Municipalities’ blog shares Pennsauken’s good news regarding the opening of its new municipal building. 

Want to share your local story? Please send in your 300- to 1,000-word items and photos to Editor Amy Spiezio at aspiezio@njlm.org.

Federal Issues

2nd Week of Federal Government Shutdown

The federal government shutdown continues. While there is little progress to report, President Trump has stated that the military will be paid.

Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

Conference Connections

Award Winners Announced

The Conference is an opportunity to honor service and commitment to local government excellence while gathered together.

On Wednesday, the Mayors’ Lunch Briefing will welcome state department heads and will also recognize the nominees for the Mayors’ Hall of Fame for 10, 20, or 30+ years of service, and nominated Elected Officials with at least 20 years of service. Fee: $30. 

Wednesday evening, attend the Women in Municipal Government Networking & Awards Event to honor five women from around the state. Runs from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Fee: $35. The 2025 honorees are:

Councilwoman Jennifer Asay, Bernards Township
Mayor Joon L. Chung, Harrington Park
Commissioner Victoria Kuhn, NJ Department of Corrections
Mayor Susan Marshall, Borough of Tuckerton
Police Chief Tina Scott, Borough of Belmar

On Thursday, the Annual Conference ends strong with the League Delegates Luncheon, which puts you in the room with League and State leadership. Fee: $45.  The honorees are:

Mayor Emeritus and League Past President Pete Cantu, Township of Plainsboro
Retired Administrator, Former Department of Local Government Services Commissioner, and League Labor Consultant Matt Watkins
Recognizing the Center for Government Services, Rutgers University on its 75^th Anniversary

Tickets can be purchased during the registration process or added later by editing your existing Conference registration. Only those with a Conference badge may attend the ticketed events.  

Conference Resolutions Due Date Approaches 

If you have ideas or resolutions for consideration for the Conference Resolutions committee, time is running out to have them included. The Resolutions Committee meets on Tuesday, November 18, at the committee meeting.  Conference Resolutions will then be presented and voted on at the League’s Business Meeting on Thursday, November 20, wrapping up the Conference. For more information and links to submission forms, visit the League’s Conference Resolutions webpage.  

Grant Opportunities

Grant Funding for Mentoring of Opioid-Affected Youth

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) is offering a grant opportunity for fiscal year 2025: Mentoring for Youth Affected by Opioid and Other Substance Use.

Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.

Natural Climate Solutions Grants Offered on Rolling Basis

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is offering a second round of Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) grants to help government entities implement on-the-ground projects that sequester carbon and enhance climate resilience.

Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.

New Jersey One Stop Shop on Climate Mitigation Tools & Webinar

The State has launched the New Jersey Funding One Stop Shop, a new online tool designed to help municipalities identify funding for climate mitigation.

Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.

Also of Interest

250 Champions Program Submissions Due November 15

The National Academy of Public Administration is seeking nominations to honor exceptional individuals working in government who exemplify “democracy at the doorstep.”

Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128