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November 10, 2025

Conference Connections  

Session Spotlight: Municipal Finance  

Equip yourself with the right knowledge for your town’s financial future at our Municipal Finance sessions. Delve into topics ranging from the increased cost of health benefits to the impacts of inflationary cost increases on municipal finances to strategies for maximizing federal grant opportunities. Arm yourself with the insights and tools these sessions offer, ensuring you're well-prepared for future challenges. For CEU and speaker information, please visit the Conference website or download the Conference app.  

Tuesday, November 18

1:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Senior Citizen/Veteran Deductions (Room 303) 

Examining the senior and veteran deductions from the Assessor's and Collector's perspectives. Department responsibility and how to file reports. Assessors session. 

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Budget & Audit Updates (Room 302) 

Explore budget, accounting, and financial policy changes and issues that will affect municipal officials in 2026. Review levy caps and new legislation, regulations, and policies that affect municipal operations. 

PILOT Land Valuation (Room 409) 

Overview of land valuation for PILOT properties. Assessors session.  

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Newly Elected Primer on Purchasing (Room 304) 

A review of public purchasing for newly elected Council and Committee members. 

AI’s Impact on Public Procurement (Room 311) 

The latest information on how the current applications of AI could impact you and your role as a public procurement professional. Purchasing Agents session.  

Can the SHBP Be Saved? (Room 403) 

A frank discussion between municipal management and labor representatives on the current status of the State Health Benefits program for local governments, and what can be done to fix the problem. 

Small Grants, Big Impact: Sustainable Jersey Success Stories (Room 421) 

See how Sustainable Jersey grants ignite outsized impact. Hear three inspiring case studies: a tiny town that grew its green team, a city-school partnership that doubled community reach, and a regional hub that scaled projects across borders. Leave with funding tips, partnership tactics, and fresh ideas to turn small awards into big sustainability wins. 

Wednesday, November 19

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

PILOT Program (Room 415) 

 Learn from experienced leaders in municipal government about the critical points regarding areas in need of redevelopment, the key terms for financial agreements, impacts on budgets, schools, resources, and the community, as well as the long-term benefits and growth opportunities for municipalities properly utilizing PILOTs. Municipal Clerks session. 

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Bankruptcy (Room 312) 

How a municipality protects its delinquent taxes in a bankruptcy. TCTA session.  

Navigating NJ’s Local Government Financial Terrain in 2026 (Room 403) 

An analysis of municipalities' current fiscal health with a review of key multi-year financial trend signs, including municipal distress levels, tax base valuation changes, fund balance levels, debt service ratios, tax collection rates, and budget variance trends across NJ's municipal governments, as well as actionable strategies and state resources available to improve municipal financial stability. 

Municipal Strategies for Stability Amid Federal Shifts (Room 419) 

As federal priorities, funding, and administrative directives evolve, municipal leaders must be agile to safeguard local stability. Exploring approaches to realign budgets, maintain essential services, and leverage partnerships to navigate uncertainty while sustaining community resilience, attendees will be equipped with strategies to anticipate and adapt without compromising stability or public trust. 

2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Tariffs & Assistance Are Changing Communities: Impacts on UEZs (Room 301) 

With new tariffs, concerns about rising costs are high. Complicating financial stability and service delivery, many assistance programs have been eliminated with potential for additional cuts. The session will explore how UEZs adapt to market changes while creating jobs. 

Annual Risk Management Seminar (MEL-JIF) (Room 302) 

Property Casualty Insurance costs the New Jersey government $1 billion each year and could increase by 10% or more in 2025. Discussing these issues and specific actions local governments can take to control these costs. By completing this session, elected officials from communities that are Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund (MEL) members will be eligible for credit. 

From Idea to Funding: A Comprehensive Discussion on Grant Writing (Room 315) 

This panel presentation will equip participants with the essential skills needed to effectively research and write grant proposals. By understanding what types of grants are available and how to find them, attendees will receive an overview of funding resources and master proposal writing techniques that will increase their chances of securing financial support for their projects and initiatives. Community Recreation Society of NJ session. 

All About PILOTs (Room 415) 

Payments in Lieu of Taxes are an effective economic development tool for municipalities, but are often misunderstood. This panel will discuss tax exemptions as a catalyst for redevelopment and affordable housing while answering commonly asked questions such as: What is a PILOT? Who shares the revenue? What is the impact on school districts? What is the role of a PILOT in a Redevelopment Bond Area? 

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Newly Elected Primer on Budgeting (Room 401) 

A review of municipal budgeting for newly elected Council and Committee members. 

The Floor is Lava: Prevailing Wage Law, PWCRA & Work Stoppages (Room 403) 

How to avoid work stoppages by using available resources to follow the Prevailing Wage Law and Contractor Registration Act. This panel will offer actionable strategies to prevent work disruptions, an understanding of the Prevailing Wage Law & Public Works Contractor Registration Act, consequences for both the contractor and municipality of non-compliance, and available resources. 

Thursday, November 20

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Accumulated Sick Leave & Health Benefits Contract Changes (Room 201/202) 

There are two major concerns facing New Jersey municipal governments administering accumulated sick leave: payouts and approaches for changing health insurance benefits. Addresses provisions within labor contracts, calculating retirement payouts, sick leave buybacks, vacation carryover, PTO, and health insurance provisions. 

Public Contract Law & Regulation Update (Room 303) 

This annual session will focus on the ever-expanding law and regulations dealing with the local procurement process as this expert panel will address updates to the Local Public Contracts Law, Pay-to-Play law, and relevant regulations. 

What Can the Local Assistance Bureau Do for You? (Room 401) 

An overview of the Local Assistance Bureau (LAB) technical assistance program highlights key program accomplishments and answers questions about how LAB can assist government agencies in improving employee proficiency, enhancing operational efficiency, achieving cost savings, and implementing best practices at no cost to local government entities. 

Technology Plans, Budgets, Procurement & Staffing Demystified (Room 405/406) 

Planning, budgeting, buying, or staffing your town's technology? Learn practical knowledge to make confident decisions; how cooperative purchasing simplifies buying; discover strategies for recruiting tech talent despite constraints; and create planning and budgeting processes that work. Leave with an actionable plan to stop "muddling through" and instantly improve your town's tech fitness. 

The Municipal Cannabis Matrix Update (Room 416) 

Municipal Cannabis 101. An in-depth look at the 2% Municipal Cannabis Tax Collection and instances of non-payment. What are Intoxicating Cannabinoids? Can we regulate the sale of intoxicating edibles and drinks? A member of law enforcement will discuss police enforcement and smoke-free laws.  

2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Cost-Effective Green Purchasing for Municipalities (Room 420) 

From groundskeeping equipment to office products and maintenance supplies, greener alternatives exist for nearly every municipal purchase. Discover resources and technical assistance that can help staff choose cost-effective options without compromising quality and performance.