Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way |
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General NewsFY2024 Local Recreation Improvement Grant - Application Submittal Dead - 04/11/2024 IMPORTANT NOTICE - PLEASE DELIVER TO THE APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL ASAP On January 11, 2024 the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' (DCA) Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) announced that applications are being accepted for the Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) Program that is being offered to New Jersey counties, municipalities and school districts. The Murphy Administration has allocated $25 million in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget to this competitive grant program that supports improvement and repair of public recreation facilities including local parks, municipal recreation centers, and local stadiums. This is a reminder that applications must be submitted through the NJDCA SAGE Portal and are due no later than 5:00 P.M. EST on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 (no exceptions). Please do not forget to select SUBMIT, otherwise the application will not be received. Also, please be mindful to make sure that the agency information is up to date, otherwise the system will not allow you to submit. If an update is required, it must be done immediately to allow adequate processing and approval time by the Department of Community Affairs' IT unit. The following are required to be submitted with the Local Recreation Improvement Grant:
If your application is submitted, no further action is required. Program guidelines and detailed information about the FY2024 LRIG Program is available at: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/lrig_docs/FY%202024%20-%20Local%20Recreation%20Improvement%20Grant%20Guidelines.pdf. PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE NEW INSTRUCTIONS ON OBTAINING A VENDOR ID FOR APPLICANTS THAT DO NOT ALREADY HAVE A NJSTART VENDOR ID. The Division of Local Government Services serves as an advocate for local government interests and provides technical and financial assistance in budgeting, financial reporting, joint services, purchasing, and management issues. They are responsible for the financial integrity of all local government units and review and approve all municipal, county, and fire district budgets. They also review many local government financial actions and govern and guide the conduct of local government officials. For more information about DCA and The Division of Local Government Services, visit https://nj.gov/dca/. Please email LRIG@dca.nj.gov with any questions. ARP-FFG Grant Awards Announcement - 03/13/2024Murphy Administration Awards $20 Million in American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants to 353 Fire Departments in New Jersey. Grants Will Ensure Firefighters Have Proper Fire Protection, Cleaning, and Sanitization Equipment. TRENTON, NJ - Governor Phil Murphy today announced the award of $20 million in American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants to local and regional fire departments across New Jersey to ensure firefighters have proper protective, cleaning, and sanitization equipment. The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) awarded the grants to 353 fire departments after a competitive application process. Today's announcement marks the second time the Murphy Administration has awarded American Rescue Plan (ARP) Firefighter Grants. In November 2022, DCA awarded $10 million to 293 fire departments. "I am pleased that my Administration was able to double the allocation of ARP funds in this year's budget from $10 million to $20 million to fire departments, which provide critical, life-saving services in our communities," said Governor Murphy. "The continuation of the American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant Program for a second cycle means local governments don't have to break the bank to get firefighters the gear and equipment they need. We're putting our federal tax dollars to use here in New Jersey communities for essential services." "This funding would not be possible without the support of our state and federal legislators, who have time and time again prioritized our first responders," continued Governor Murphy. "It can be difficult for fire departments to replace equipment when needed due to the high costs involved and financial constraints. The American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants give fire departments the ability to purchase the equipment they need to protect our communities and keep themselves safe," said DCA Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suarez. "DCA is proud to administer this important grant program and direct federal funds to the public servants who answer the call to serve their community despite enormous risk to their lives." From the establishment of the firefighter grant program nearly 25 years ago, to consistently requesting budget resolutions towards funding to support fire departments throughout the state, to the creation of task forces in support of fire safety, New Jersey legislators at the federal and state level have advocated for our fire departments for years. "As co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I am thrilled to see Governor Murphy allocate $20 million in American Rescue Plan funds to fire departments statewide," said Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09). "I fought to include funding for our first responders in President Biden's American Rescue Plan and I am glad to see the funds put to use for our firefighters. This investment will empower 335 local and regional fire departments across New Jersey, providing them with the resources they need to protect our communities and save lives. I commend Governor Murphy and his administration for their dedication to public safety. In the Congress, I will continue fighting to ensure our first responders have the funding and support they need to keep us and themselves safe." Fire departments will use the grant funding to help cover costs associated with the purchases of: - Protective clothing (turnout clothing ensembles, pants, helmets, hoods, gloves, footwear, etc.); - Cleaning and advanced cleaning equipment; - Breathing apparatuses; - Personal protective equipment (PPE); and - Other fire and/or virus protection equipment as determined to be appropriate by DCA's Division of Local Government Services (DLGS). A full list of the grant recipients, including grant award amount, is posted at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/arpffg.shtml on DCA's website. To qualify for grant funding, each eligible applicant had to describe the intended use of the funding, list the key personnel and/or outside consultant that will be managing the grant funds and purchase of equipment, and submit a governing body resolution acknowledging and approving any grant application and the proposed plan to use funds for the purchase of approved items. Grant applications were reviewed based on the following criteria: - Scope of fire department need as demonstrated by equipment need, number of service calls, number of active firefighters, distressed city rating, and population of service area. - Level of commitment to protecting firefighters as demonstrated by the local match to the grant funding and other grants for protective equipment or other firefighting projects. All local and regional fire departments in New Jersey were eligible to apply. The American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants are reimbursement-based. There is no advance payment or drawdown of grant funds. Eligible costs are reimbursed to the fire department when it submits evidence of payment of qualifying expenses to DCA. "Safe clothing and gear are extremely important to firefighters' physical and mental health," said State Fire Marshal and Division of Fire Safety Director Richard Mikutsky. "The continuation of these grant funds means so much to these dedicated first responders, many of whom are volunteers." "Another strong commitment from the Murphy administration to protect New Jersey's bravest. The number one killer to firefighters is cancer. This appropriation will help ensure we continue to take the steps to protect ourselves while we are out there protecting the residents and visitors of New Jersey," said Ed Donnelly, President NJ FMBA. "The health and safety of Firefighters should be a top priority for everyone in our state. This grant program goes a long way in supporting the well-being of our NJ Firefighters who serve in career and volunteer departments. We applaud Governor Murphy for his leadership and thank everyone involved for this important program. Having proper protective equipment and the ability to maintain that equipment in an uncontaminated condition will help shield the health and safety of Firefighters throughout NJ," said Robert F. Ordway, President, New Jersey State Firemen's Association. "Since the inception of the American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants program, the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ) is honored to stand with the governor on this initiative. We are proud to see the awarding of an additional $20 million in funding. PFANJ firefighters courageously confront dangers daily, and this funding empowers departments to procure essential equipment for our vital duties. Governor Murphy consistently prioritizes the safety of our members, and for that, we express our gratitude," said Matthew Caliente, President, Professional Firefighters Assoc. of NJ, IAFF, NJ AFLCIO. 24-07 Annual Financial Disclosure Statement Filing (LGE Representative - 03/15/2024Local Finance Notice 2024-07 has now been issued. The LFN contains important information concerning the annual Financial Disclosure Statement (FDS) filing process for Local Government Entity Representatives (LGE Representatives) for 2024. You may view the notice by clicking on this https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/lfns/2024/2024-07.pdf. Rosters may now be updated. The deadline to complete roster updates is March 29, 2024 as LGOs will be able to start filing shortly thereafter. During this time period for roster updates, Local Government Officers (LGOs) will not be able to access the filing system to file a FDS for 2024. A separate Local Finance Notice (LFN 2024-08) will be released in the upcoming weeks for distribution to LGOs. The statutory deadline for LGO filing is April 30, 2024. Please wait until LFN 2024-08 has been issued before informing LGOs that they can begin filing. The Local Finance Board has developed numerous resources, including webinars, to help the LGE Representatives with managing the FDS rosters. The webinars, available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7WdF7A70VAh7emujl7XZOg, show how to manage the FDS roster, as well as how to determine positions that are deemed LGOs, and thus who is required to file. The recording was designed to help LGE Representatives, especially new representatives, understand the FDS system. If you have questions that are not addressed in LFN 2024-07, please see the Help resources at www.fds.nj.gov, e-mail LFB_FDS@dca.nj.gov, or call the Local Finance Board staff at 609-815-3904. FY2024 Local Recreation Improvement Grant Deadline Extension - 02/28/2024FY2024 Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) Deadline Extension: The Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) performed a review of the Local Recreation Improvement Grant applications in SAGE which reflect an extraordinary number of applications that remain in-process and not submitted. DLGS is urging applicants to review their applications, make corrections if any errors are reflected and submit the application. Upon submittal, the applicant listed in SAGE should receive an email confirmation of their application submittal. DLGS is extending the deadline for applicants who have applications in process to Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. EST. Please note, the application deadline will not be extended again. If your application is submitted, no further action is required. Applications must be submitted through the NJDCA SAGE Portal at: https://dcasage.intelligrants.com/Portal.asp. Program Guidelines and detailed information about the FY2024 LRIG Program is available at: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/lrig_docs/FY%202024%20-%20Local%20Recreation%20Improvement%20Grant%20Guidelines.pdf. PLEASE NOTE NEW INSTRUCTIONS ON OBTAINING A VENDOR ID FOR APPLICANTS THAT DO NOT ALREADY HAVE A NJSTART VENDOR ID. SAGE Application Instructions are available at: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/lrig_docs/SAGE%20User%20Manual%20-%20Grantees.pdf. Please contact Stacey Taylor-Burnell at Stacey.Taylor-Burnell@dca.nj.gov with any questions. Local Finance Notice 2024-04 - New Russia-Belarus Law Developments - 02/22/2024Local Finance Notice 2024-04, available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/lfns/2024/2024-04.pdf, explains important new developments on the Russia-Belarus law and the reinstatement of a revised contractor/vendor certification for State and local contracting units. In light of recent legal developments, on January 22, 2024 the New Jersey Department of the Treasury issued a notice reinstating the Russia-Belarus vendor/contractor certification requirement (https://www.nj.gov/treasury/administration/pdf/NoticeRussia.pdf). Now, when a contract for goods or services is awarded, renewed, amended, or extended, a contracting unit shall now 1) require a vendor or contractor to certify, using the State Treasury's vendor certification as a template (https://www.nj.gov/treasury/administration/pdf/DisclosureofProhibitedActivitesinRussiaBelarus.pdf), that the vendor or contractor is not identified on the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) list due to activity related to Russia and/or Belarus, and 2) type the vendor's or contractor's name and address into the OFAC list search to determine whether they appear on the list due to activity related to Russia and/or Belarus. Please note that this certification process must be followed before designating a redeveloper under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq.), entering into an agreement for a payment in-lieu of taxes (PILOT), or otherwise awarding a municipal property tax abatement. A new stand-alone model Iran Investment certification form is also available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/lpcl_docs/YB%20-%20Disclosure%20of%20Iran%20Investments.docx. Please review Local Finance Notice 2024-04 closely for additional details. FY 2024 Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP) Grant Announcement - 01/30/2024The Division of Local Government Services and New Jersey's Shared Services Czars are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for FY 2024 Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP) Grants. LEAP affords an unprecedented opportunity to incentivize shared services implementation across New Jersey's local government entities, advancing the mission of the Shared Services Program. LEAP facilitates exploring and establishing shared services by providing counties, municipalities, school districts, commissions, authorities and fire districts assistance for the study or implementation of shared services projects undertaken pursuant to the Uniform Shared Service and Consolidation Act. Applications for LEAP Challenge Grants are due no later than April 15, 2024. LEAP Implementation and LEAP County Coordinator Fellowship Grants are on a rolling application process; however, application submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. EST on April 15, 2024, for applications to be eligible for grant funding. Limited funding is available under the applicable FY 2024 appropriation and awards under FY 2024 funding cycle must be encumbered before June 30, 2024. A completed application package must be submitted electronically to DLGS at dlgs.leapgrant@dca.nj.gov. The date of email submission shall constitute the date filed. Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding. Detailed information, including program guidelines and applications about the FY 2024 LEAP, is available at: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/Leap_grants.shtml 2024 NJ Parent Link Redesign - Input and Feedback Is Needed from Local - 01/24/2024The NJ Parent Link website will be redesigned in 2024. As such, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is encouraging municipal and county governments to participate in a feedback survey to assist with the website redesign. NJDOH requests that local government officials: - Complete a survey at: - Forward the survey to colleagues, staff, professional, youth, and parent groups to request their participation as well. NJDOH is asking surveys to be completed during the month of January. The NJ Parent Link website at https://www.nj.gov/njparentlink/ provides resources for expectant and new parents; families with children; youth and young adults; and professional stakeholders vested in the health, education, and well-being of New Jersey's children and families. For any additional information or questions about NJ Parent Link, the survey, or the website redesign, please contact Jaime Anderson, the NJ Parent Link administrator, at jamie.anderson@doh.nj.gov or (609) 475.2694. FY24 Local Recreation Improvement Grant - 01/11/2024 TRENTON, NJ - The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' (DCA) Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) today announced that applications are now being accepted for the Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) Program funding that is being offered to New Jersey counties, municipalities and school districts. The Murphy Administration has allocated $25 million in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget to this competitive grant program that supports improvement and repair of public recreation facilities including local parks, municipal recreation centers, and local stadiums. Local Recreation Improvement Grant funds will be awarded to successful grant applicants to help cover costs associated with updating community centers, playgrounds, pools, fields, walking or bicycle trails, rail trails, multi-sport courts, and recreational facilities; one-time personnel costs directly related to improvements; project development professional services costs; equipment costs including playground and recreation facilities equipment; and environmental remediation costs required to prepare recreation sites for use. The Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) Program was developed to: - Fund improvements to recreational facilities; - Provide quality outdoor recreational space to underserved communities; and - Assist local units in achieving unmet recreational obligations. New Jersey counties, municipalities, and school districts are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted through the DCA SAGE Portal at https://dcasage.intelligrants.com/portal.asp and are due no later than 5 p.m. on February 27, 2024. Program guidelines and detailed information about the FY 2024 LRIG Program are available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/lriggrants.shtml on the DCA website. The Division of Local Government Services serves as an advocate for local government interests and provides technical and financial assistance in budgeting, financial reporting, joint services, purchasing, and management issues. They are responsible for the financial integrity of all local government units and review and approve all municipal, county, and fire district budgets. They also review many local government financial actions and govern and guide the conduct of local government officials. For more information about DCA and The Division of Local Government Services, visit https://nj.gov/dca/. LFN 2023-22 CY2024 Budget Matters - 12/20/2023Local Finance Notice 2023-22, available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/lfns/2023-22.pdf, contains important updates on the budget process for counties and calendar year municipalities. Please review this Notice carefully. N.J.A.C. 5:30 Readoption - Budget, Audit and Financial Administration - 11/30/2023At its July 12, 2023 meeting, the Local Finance Board (Board) approved the chapter readoption of N.J.A.C. 5:30 with amendments and new rules. In addition to codifying in regulation certain existing statutes and DLGS guidance, the Board adopted several key changes relevant to local government budgeting, financial administration, and audits which are further detailed in new Local Finance Notice 2023-21 (https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/lfns/2023-21.pdf). Please review this Notice in its entirety. Additional Local Finance Notices will be issued to provide further guidance on specific topics. FY2024 American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant - 10/23/2023The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' (DCA) Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) today announced that the application period is open for the FY24 American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant (ARPFFG) Program, which will help local and regional fire departments in New Jersey provide first responders with proper protective and cleaning equipment. Ensuring that firefighters are protected against the strain of emergency fire requests as well as having proper virus protection is vital in today's world. All local and regional fire departments in New Jersey are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted through the NJDCA SAGE Portal and are due no later than 5:00 P.M. EST on December 8th, 2023. Program Guidelines and detailed information about the FY 2024 ARPFFG Program is available at: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/arpffg.shtml Fire departments must use the grant funding to help cover costs associated with the purchases of: - Protective items (turnout clothing ensembles, pants, helmets, hoods, gloves, footwear, etc.); - Cleaning and advanced cleaning equipment; - Oxygen equipment; - Personal protective equipment (PPE); and - Other fire and/or virus protection equipment as determined to be appropriate by DCA's Division of Local Government Services (DLGS). Grant applications will be reviewed and graded based on the following criteria: - Describe, in detail, the intended use of grant funding. - List the key personnel and/or outside consultant that will be managing the grant funds and purchase of equipment. - Submit a governing body resolution acknowledging and approving any grant application and the proposed plan to use funds for the purchase of approved items. - Number of fire calls for calendar years 2021, 2022 and 2023.* (As reported in the NFIRS - if used). - Number of "Active" firefighters for calendar years 2021, 2022 and 2023. **Note: For volunteer fire companies, do not include "Exempt" members. - Population Served. - Evidence of serving underserved populations, and/or unmet firefighting needs. - Local Match (if no local match, describe why). Please note: Local match is not required but is used in the application scoring process. The American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants are reimbursement-based. There is no advance payment or drawdown of grant funds. Eligible costs are reimbursed to the fire department when it submits evidence of payment for qualifying expenses to DCA (purchase orders, invoices and front and back of canceled checks must be submitted via "Expense Report" in SAGE to receive any reimbursement.) Progress reports (Word document containing an update on the project and purchasing for the specifically listed time period) are required to be submitted before any disbursement is reviewed and approved.
Attached are SAGE Application Instructions for your convenience. Please contact Stacey Taylor-Burnell at Stacey.Taylor-Burnell@dca.nj.gov or Alessandra Case at Alessandra.Case@dca.nj.gov with any questions.
Notice sent to: Municipal Clerks; Municipal CFOs; Fire Districts; (Municipal Clerks please forward to Fire Department Volunteers) LFN 2023 - 19 - Calendar Year 2024 Municipal and County Budget Cap In - 10/13/2023Local Finance Notice 2023-19, accessible at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/lfns/2023-19.pdf, addresses issues related to CY2024 Municipal and County Budgets and the 1977 and 2010 cap laws. The Notice includes information on the 1977 cap law Cost of Living Adjustment and the use of the COLA ordinance (resolution) increase thresholds. DCA Winter Termination Program Update - 11/22/2023Please review the Department of Community Affair's November 17, 2023 Notice at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/pdf/Winter_Termination_Notice.pdf for updated information on the Winter Termination Program. The Winter Termination Program prevents service discontinuation for eligible residential customers receiving residential electric, sewer and water service from a municipal utility, local authority, or rural electric cooperative from November 15th through March 15th. A residential customer qualifies for protection from shutoffs between November 15 and March 15 upon demonstrating they are: - Recipients of LIHWAP; - Recipients of LIHEAP, or certified as eligible therefor pursuant to standards set by the Department; - Recipients of the Universal Service Fund (USF); - Recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF); - Recipients of Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI); - Recipients of Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD); - Recipients of Benefits under the Lifeline Credit Program; - Recipients of General Assistance (GA) benefits; - Residential customers unable to pay their utility bills due to circumstances beyond their control. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to, unemployment, illness, medical-related expenses, recent death of an immediate family member, or any other circumstances that might cause financial hardship; - A residential customer participating in any other State or local program that provides assistance specifically to help eligible customers pay, electric, water, or sewer bills. The Winter Termination Program webpage at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/wintertermination.shtml contains updated documents such as a flyer, template letter to residential customers, and a customer self-certification. The adopted Winter Termination Program regulations at N.J.A.C. 5:45 are available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/pdf/R.2023_d.093_(55_N.J.R._1705(a)).pdf. Pages 4-7 of Local Finance Notice 2023-09 (https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dlgs/lfns/23/2023-09.pdf) contains further critical details about the Winter Termination Program. Notice sent to: Municipal Managers/Administrators; Municipal CFOs; Certified Public Works Managers; Municipal Clerks; Authority Officials; Tax Collectors New Mandatory GovConnect Enrollment Categories - 09/22/2023The Local Finance Board recently adopted amendments to N.J.A.C. 5:30-16.2 requiring the following officials to enroll in GovConnect by November 1, 2023: Municipal Business Administrators and Managers, County Administrators and Managers, Certified Public Works Managers (CPWMs), and individuals designated to serve as a local unit's purchasing agent (both QPA and non-QPA). The covered officials will receive GovConnect and E-Government for Government (EGG) notifications via e-mail from the Division of Local Government Services (DLGS). These EGG Notices provide crucial information to local officials, including updates on new guidance, summaries of important notices, changes in certification requirements, notifications about newly enacted legislation, and important upcoming deadlines. The above-referenced officials must register by November 1, 2023 by emailing EGG@dca.nj.gov with their name, title, local unit, and email address. Once registered in the DLGS GovConnect Portal, the official will receive an email from EGG with instructions on how to activate the authorization code on the MyNewJersey portal. Municipal CFOs, County CFOs, Municipal Clerks, Clerks to County Boards of Commissioners, and Tax Collectors are reminded of their current obligation to enroll in GovConnect. The board of commissioners for each local authority (including regional authorities) and fire districts must also designate at least one representative to be enrolled in GovConnect. Officials holding one or more of these roles and have not yet registered must contact EGG@dca.nj.gov to initiate the signup process. A Municipal Clerk or Tax Collector, or a Municipal or County CFO, will be required to authorize access by providing a resolution, email, or similar documentation upon their registration. Officials are responsible for updating their GovConnect enrollment information. Resilient Communities Program - 09/12/2023The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is now accepting applications for 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 flood-related natural hazards. The application period opened on June 28th and closes on December 15, 2023. The program provides a maximum award up to $5 million. The Resilient Communities Program 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. Local governmental entities can learn more about the program online at https://www.nj.gov/dca/ddrm/programs/ida/infrastructure.shtml on DCA's website. They can also email ResilientCommunities@dca.nj.gov for more information. New Local Finance Notices 2023-15 and 2023-16 - 09/21/2023Local Finance Notice 2023-15, available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/lfns/2023-15.pdf, includes certain bidding thresholds recently updated by State Treasury. See pages 2 and 4 of the Notice for updates implemented as of July 1, 2023. In addition to the updated bidding thresholds, the Notice contains an updated link to the State Comptroller's contract submission webpage. Otherwise, the guidance remains identical to that in Local Finance Notice 2020-14R. Local Finance Notice 2023-16 summarizes U.S. Treasury's new 2023 Interim Final Rule, which expands the types of uses for which ARP LFRF Funds may be used. As with the preexisting eligible uses, LFRF funds for newly eligible uses must be obligated by December 31, 2024. Please review the Notice at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/lfns/2023-16.pdf for critical details. Last Day To Register - Governor's Conference on Housing and Economic D - 09/20/2023You 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 New Workplace Accountability in Labor List (The WALL) - 09/08/2023P.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. Free ARP LFRF Consulting Services for Counties and Municipalities - 09/01/2023FREE 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. 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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Updated: 04/18/2024