Dear Mayor:

On July 8, 2004 State Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Susan Bass Levin unveiled details of a $32 million Homeland Security Police Assistance Aid Program.

Municipal Homeland Security Police Assistance Aid is awarded to municipalities to provide property tax relief through assistance to police budgets in recognition of their increased homeland security need. Award distributions to 472 towns with significant police budgets are based on population as follows: municipalities with populations of 30,000 and over - $140,000; populations of 20,000 to 29,999 - $90,000; populations of 10,000 to 19,000 - $70,000; populations of 5,000 to 9,999 - $50,000; and municipalities with populations under 5,000 - $25,000.

This $32 Million raises the total for new direct municipal property tax relief to $64 Million, in FY 2005.

We need to thank Governor McGreevey for this funding. It was not included in his original February budget requests or in his April 29 “FAIR” plan announcement to both Houses of the Legislature. But this initiative proves that when the Governor came to our Mayors’ Property Tax Summit, he not only came to speak. He also came to listen. He heard your arguments for direct municipal property tax relief funding. And he has responded.

We also need to thank DCA Commissioner Susan Bass Levin. She continues to be a tremendous ally to mayors and governing body members from all around our Garden State.

Finally, we need to express our appreciation to Speaker Albio Sires. His advocacy for direct municipal property tax relief funding, in general, and for municipal Hometown Security funding, in particular, has made the difference. After our Summit, he was instrumental in setting up a meeting, for the League, with the Governor’s Office. And his efforts on this need to be recognized.

The Department of Community Affairs will shortly provide Mayors and Municipal Clerks with additional details also a print out of the Statewide distribution is available at the League office by calling Susan DeLany at (609) 695-3481 ext. 14.