Trenton, NJ - The Murphy Administration, in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the State’s Shared Services Czars, announced the final round of Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP) grant awards for fiscal year 2024. These grants, totaling $3,455,138, provide financial assistance to local government entities such as counties, municipalities, school districts, authorities, and fire districts across New Jersey. The aim is to identify, study, and implement shared services initiatives to streamline government services and save taxpayer dollars. LEAP is administered by DCA’s Division of Local Government Services (DLGS).
Former Mayors Nicolas Platt of Harding Township and Jordan Glatt of the City of Summit were appointed by Governor Murphy in 2018 as bipartisan Shared Services Czars. They are responsible for leading the State’s shared services efforts and assisting local governments interested in applying to LEAP or considering a shared service agreement.
“Change is never easy for people and local governments alike. That’s why DCA, along with the Shared Services Czars Jordan Glatt and Nicolas Platt support local government leaders in exploring shared services opportunities that may reduce costs and improve deliverables to community residents,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “Our approach allows for data-driven decision-making, community engagement, and a solutions-focused perspective in managing challenges with expert guidance and grant funding.”
“As former mayors we are acutely aware of the delicate balance needed to meet residents’ needs and maintain a high-quality of life while reducing taxpayer costs,” said Shared Services Czars Platt and Glatt. “We are encouraged by the positive feedback we receive from local officials, and more importantly by seeing the great outcomes being achieved through shared service agreements across the State.”
The LEAP grants support advancing shared services efforts in all local governmental units across New Jersey. Since its launch in FY2020, there have been 120 LEAP grant awards issued totaling over $18.1 million.
The program comprises three grant opportunities:
For complete descriptions of each grant type visit: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) | Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP) (nj.gov).
To encourage shared services among local governments DLGS established the Local Assistance Bureau (LAB), which provides technical assistance throughout each step of the process from identification through implementation. The LAB team consists of former municipal professionals with expertise ranging from police fire emergency management services municipal court finance business administration/management public works.
Further information about LEAP Grant guidelines can be found on the DLGS website at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/Leap_grants.shtml or requested via email at DLGS.LEAPgrant@dca.nj.gov For broader information on shared services email: sharedservices@nj.gov
DLGS advocates for local government interests providing technical financial assistance in budgeting financial reporting joint services purchasing management issues It ensures financial integrity reviews approves municipal county fire district budgets reviews many financial actions governs guides conduct officials
DCA also offers programs including affordable housing production fire safety building safety community planning development disaster recovery mitigation historic preservation information privacy
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