The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2024-14 outlining the CY25/SFY26 municipal budget appropriations for volunteer fire companies and fire districts.
P.L. 2015, c. 95 permits the annual cap on funds a municipality may appropriate for use by its volunteer fire companies or boards of fire commissioners to $150,000 with an adjustment every two years based on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment under the 1977 cap law. For CY25/SFY 26, the cost-of-living adjustment is 2.5% resulting in a maximum contribution of $165,564. A municipality may appropriate additional funds for the purchase of fire equipment, supplies, and materials; however, the municipality must control and disburse the funds and retain the title to any purchased equipment.
We suggest that you review this Local Finance Notice with your Chief Financial Officer and Manager.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.