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This blog is dedicated to everything you want to know about NJ Fire Districts.
By - Oliver Walling on 12/21/2012 10:15 AM
As we approach the Christmas holidays we breath a sigh of relief that all our budgets have been submitted by the deadline.  The big question this budget season was what do we do about potential FEMA grants.  Fortunately, the State Legislature passed PL 2011 c.153 in 2011.  If you receive a grant to purchase equipment and have not included the grant or the appropriation in the budget, you can now amend the budget adding the revenue and the appropriation.

 

FEMA funds are also available to reimburse districts for expenses incurred as a result of Superstorm Sandy.  If the amount of the expense is known, discuss with your auditor the advisabilty of accruing the expenses and revenue on your 2012 financial statements.

 

Make sure you have reviewed Local Finance Notice 2012-29.  This notice relates to emergency appropriations and financing.  There is a list there of vendors added to the state contract list that relate to disaster supplies and equipment, including generators.  I have been told...
By - Oliver Walling on 10/26/2012 1:57 PM
District Web Site and 2013 Budget should be your focus.
By - Oliver Walling on 9/17/2012 11:50 AM
Key issues discussed at the Annual NJ State Association of Fire Districts meeting.
By - Oliver Walling on 8/13/2012 10:23 AM
New Jersey Fire Districts are exempt from sales and use tax, but sometimes a vendor just will not accept it.
By - Oliver Walling on 7/31/2012 11:13 AM
Is your Board thinking about making a Capital purchase in 2013?  Now is the time to start the process.  Since Capital purchases are outside the Cap, DCA is questioning some of the items being budgeted as "Capital".  Review with your attorney the statutory definition of Capital.

 

All Capital purchases must have voter approval prior to inclusion in the budget.  So, if you have a Capital purchase planned for 2013,  you must have voter approval before you introduce your 2013 Budget.  There are two types of election processes permitted by statute.  One is like the February election where you need 60 days of notice and prescribed hours for voting.  The other method is a special meeting election.  This method requires 10 days notice and the window for voting can be much smaller.  If you are issuing bonds for the purchase, most bond attorneys will insist upon the 60 day election.  Lease purchasing is permitted through the special meeting election.  You must request authorization to issue bonds or lease purchasing if you are financing the project.  You must obtain voter approval to purchase and to finance.

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By - Oliver Walling on 7/5/2012 11:09 AM
New legislations allows districts to amend the adopted budget if unanticipated revenue is received.
By - Oliver Walling on 2/13/2012 7:30 PM
Fire Districts are required by law to publish in an online web site minutes of meetings, adopted budgets, audited financial statements and other information.
By - Oliver Walling on 1/27/2012 5:07 PM
The Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has changed the names of fund balance accounts to be more descriptive of the uses of the funds.

Recent Articles

2015 Budget
ANNUAL AUDIT REQUIREMENTS
BOND ISSUES
SUMMER 2014
FALL 2013
2012 Wrap Up
October Update
Exemption from New Jersey Sales and Use Tax
2013 Capital Purchases