What Happened?
Citizens of Roxbury and Mount Arlington in New Jersey submitted petitions for a municipal consolidation study to determine if merging the localities will increase efficiency and delivery of services. If the petitions are approved, representatives from each town will collaborate on the consolidation commission to identify the pros and cons of merging the two municipalities.
The Goal
In both cities, the consolidation proposal was presented through local school boards and education associations. The offering of a petition to employ a municipal consolidation study is made possible through the state’s Municipal Consolidation Act of 2007 which is encouraging other like-minded towns to take similar actions toward the combining of resources and services to cut costs and increase overall efficiency.
In Roxbury and Mount Arlington, residents are most interested in improving of educational quality in local schools, elimination of waste, lowered property taxes and availability of more funding for academics. Concerned citizens argue a consolidation strategy may make these goals possible, and are raising awareness of the option.
What Will The Commission Do?
In the past, other New Jersey municipalities have created consolidation commissions and launched the study efforts. Under the Municipal Consolidation Act of 2007, the consolidation committee must be comprised of five representatives from all municipalities looking to participate in the merger or sharing of services. The commission is tasked with:
- Analyzing the options and impacts of potential consolidation models
- Inquiring on local residents, business and organizations as to how consolidation may impact them
- Writing up a formal report on the findings of the study with data sources
Before municipal consolidation studies can be launched, commissions must be approved by local voters. Commissions can also be created if participating municipalities adopt an ordinance or resolution expression creating the entity.
The municipality consolidation study commission will prepare a proposed budget for all activities expected to take place during their research and inquiring. Governing bodies of the participating municipalities shall review the budget separately and have 30 days to approve the proposal. If the commission cannot complete all of its tasks with the funding provided locally, it may apply for a state grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to cover the expenses of a feasibility study. Otherwise the state department of community affairs can be called upon to the conduct the study on behalf of the commission.
The most important aspect of the municipality consolidation study will be the analysis of fiscal implications of a merger. The commission has five months from its creation to complete and submit the study’s findings. The state department of community affairs will work with the consolidation commission to find the appropriate information for the final report.
The study will then be presented to the voting public for approval, based on the commission’s findings and recommendations guided by the state. Depending on the course of action being taken, new elections will likely follow to assign leadership roles for the development and implementation of the consolidation project.
Teamwork!
Gov1 has stayed at the forefront of consolidation news nationwide including occurrences in fire departments and library services.