Murphy Administration Announces $6 Million for Next Round of Shared Services Grant Funding

Murphy Administration Announces $6 Million for Next Round of Shared Services Grant Funding

• Posted on: 11/6/2024

Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP) Grant Applications Now Open for Fiscal Year 2025

TRENTON, NJ - The Murphy Administration, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and Shared Services Czars today announced that DCA's Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) is now accepting applications for $6 million in available funding through the Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP) that was allocated in the Fiscal Year 2025 state budget. Governor Murphy discusses the shared services initiative in a video message posted at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/sharedservices.shtml on the DCA website.

LEAP grants, which DLGS administers, provide financial assistance to local government entities such as counties, municipalities, school districts, authorities, and fire districts across the State of New Jersey to identify, study, and implement shared services initiatives. The program is aimed at encouraging towns to streamline their government services to increase efficiency and help save taxpayer dollars.

Former Mayors Nicolas Platt of Harding Township and Jordan Glatt of the City of Summit, whom Governor Murphy appointed in 2018 to serve as the State's first "Shared Services Czars," are available to help guide local governments that are interested in applying to LEAP and are considering a shared service agreement. A video message from the Shared Services Czars and DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez is also posted on the same webpage as the Governor's message.

"After years of doing this work, we see the incredible service improvements and cost savings that can result when local governments work together to share resources," said DCA Commissioner Suárez. "This is why, at every opportunity, we strongly encourage local governments to apply for these grants. The funding is here to help communities strengthen their services while driving down costs. So, why not take advantage of it?"

"We also stand ready to help local governments with their shared services projects by providing guidance, studies, and technical assistance from experts," said Shared Services Czars Nicolas Platt and Jordan Glatt. "All of this support is free, which makes these grants an amazing opportunity that communities don't want to miss."

The LEAP is comprised of three primary components: Challenge Grants, Implementation Grants, and County Shared Services Coordinator Grants. Videos providing examples of each of these grants are posted at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/Leap_grants.shtml on the DCA website.

Challenge Grants promote innovation and collaboration on more expansive projects and levels of participation that produce shared services with increased significance to local communities. For example, a Challenge Grant was awarded in 2020 to explore combining the Medical Examiner's Office for Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties. The feasibility study was completed last year and the counties are in the process of finalizing the details to enter into a shared services agreement.

Challenge Grants provide reimbursement for qualifying expenses incurred in the development of approved programs and services authorized under the Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act (N.J.S.A. 40:65-1 et seq.). Local governmental units are invited to compete for a share of up to $150,000 in available funds within each county. New Jersey counties, municipalities, school districts, commissions, authorities, and fire districts may apply. Any two or more of these entities may submit a joint application seeking funding for a proposal.

Implementation Grants support costs associated with the implementation of shared services. These include one-time reimbursable costs for project completion or transition support, which may include, but are not limited to, new technology costs incurred as part of equipping a shared services program, rebranding costs, equipment and vehicle outlays, professional services, rent for facilities, payroll system conversion costs, and training. Funding is based on the total transition or implementation cost of a project.

County Shared Services Coordinator Grants support counties in the hiring of a new employee or in designating an existing employee to work with the county and local government entities within the county to identify and advance shared services opportunities. For those counties already employing or engaging coordinators, this grant is still available to supplement the coordinator function. Each New Jersey county is encouraged to apply for up to a $75,000 grant for the purpose of funding a one-year, full-time position. A county with a full-time employee dedicated solely to shared service initiatives shall receive up to $75,000 in grant funding. A county who designates a part-time employee dedicated to shared service initiatives for at least 20 hours per week, on average, shall receive up to $37,500 in grant funding.

Since the program launched in December 2019, a total of 120 LEAP grants, amounting to more than $18 million, have been awarded. With the assistance of the Shared Services Czars, DCA recently helped facilitate and execute the following shared services agreements:

• Somerset County - County Shared Services Coordinator - $37,500
• Cape May Point Borough - Shared Stormwater Maintenance Equipment - $69,952
• West Cape May Borough - Shared Street Sweeping Services - $191,448
• Monmouth County Sheriff's Office - Shared Emergency Medical Services (3) Municipalities - $400,000
• Atlantic City - Shared Municipal Court with Pleasantville - $229,950
• South Toms River Borough - Shared Street Sweeping Services - $292,242
• Allenhurst Borough - Shared Dispatch Services with Monmouth County - $400,000
• Bergen County - Emergency Dispatch Services with 2 Municipalities - $400,000
• Shrewsbury Borough - Emergency Services Dispatch with Monmouth County -$352,995
• Kittatinny Regional High School Board of Education - School Consolidation Study - $153,500
• Corbin City Board of Education - School Consolidation Study - $32,000
• Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education - Regionalization of (3) School Districts Implementation - $400,000

Eligible entities are encouraged to apply for grant funds in each of the three LEAP components. All three grants have a rolling application. It is recommended that applications be submitted as soon as possible due to the LEAP program's popularity and funding availability of the FY 2025 LEAP appropriation.

For further information about LEAP grant guidelines and required documentation, visit the DLGS website at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/Leap_grants.shtml. To request information about LEAP grants, local government officials can email [email protected]. For information on shared services more broadly, they can email [email protected].

DLGS serves as an advocate for local government interests and provides technical and financial assistance in budgeting, financial reporting, joint services, purchasing, and management issues. It is responsible for the financial integrity of all local government units and reviews and approves all municipal, county, and fire district budgets. The Division also reviews many local government financial actions and governs and guides the conduct of local government officials.

DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, disaster recovery and mitigation, historic preservation, and information privacy.

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media:

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