In February 2022, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) proposed a new language at N.J.A.C. 5:32-2.5(c) regarding vacancy procedures in the office of the chief municipal finance officer (CMFO). In addition, other changes were proposed with amendments at N.J.A.C. 5:32 and new N.J.A.C. 5:32-1.2. pertaining to the general provisions of licensure of statutory local government officials.
DLGS adopted the non-substantive changes effective August 1, 2022, however, they decided not to adopt N.J.A.C. 5:32-2.5(c) due to a public comment on the rule. While not all statutory officers have rules pertaining to vacancies, the CMFO rules already exist so the changes would have been duplicative.
The Notice of Adoption, however, still included the rule. DLGS requested a Notice of Administrative Correction, and the Office of Administrative Law agreed resulting in no changes to the rules pertaining to the vacancy of the office of CMFO. The correction was effective on April 1, 2025.
Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, x116.