The Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) has issued Local Finance Notice (LFN) 2025-07 regarding the 2025 annual Financial Disclosure Statements (FDS).
The Local Government Ethics Law (LGEL) requires that local government officers file a financial disclosure statement on or before April 30 each year or within 30 days of taking office. DLGS requires local government officials to file the FDS online through the Local Finance Board’s online filing system. LFN 2025-07 outlines detailed instructions on filing an FDS.
The LGEL (N.J.S.A.40A:9-22.3.g) defines a local government officer as any person, whether compensated or not, whether part-time or full-time:
1. Elected to any office of a local government agency.
2. Serving on a local government agency that has the authority to enact ordinances, approve development applications, or grant zoning variances.
3. Who is a member of an independent municipal, county, or regional authority; or
4. Who is a managerial executive employee of a local government agency, as defined in rules and regulations adopted by the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L. 1968, c. 410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), but shall not mean any employee of a school district or member of a school board.
The LFB will not send reminders to local government officers regarding the filing of their FDS. If a local government officer fails to file, the Local Finance Board will send a Notice of Violation and a fine will be assessed at a minimum of $100 and not to exceed $500.
For questions or additional guidance, please contact the LFB via email at LFB_FDS@dca.nj.gov or by phone at 609-815-3904.
Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, x116.