[1975 Code § 2-19.4]
No purchase shall be made on behalf of the Borough unless a purchase order has first been completed and approved according to the requirements set forth herein.
[1975 Code § 2-19.5]
Each Department Head shall designate in writing to be filed with the Purchasing Agent an employee within the Department who will be authorized to submit purchase orders to the Department Head and the Purchasing Agent.
[1975 Code § 2-19.6]
Each purchase order shall be signed by the Department Head thereby certifying the need for the purchase.
[1975 Code § 2-19.7]
Each purchase order shall be submitted by the Department Head or his designated employee in the Department for which the purchase is being made to the Purchasing Agent who shall review the budget and the account for the Department for which the purchase is being made to determine if there are sufficient funds to make the purchase. If there are sufficient funds to make the purchase, the Purchasing Agent shall sign the order certifying the availability of the funds.
[1975 Code § 2-19.8]
The purchase order approved by the Department Head and Purchasing Agent may then be presented to the vendor as authority to make the purchase described therein.
[1975 Code § 2-19.9]
The purchase order shall consist of an original and three copies to be processed as follows:
a. 
The original and first copy to be presented to the vendor.
b. 
The first copy when signed by the vendor shall constitute a voucher to be submitted to the Mayor and Council for approval for payment.
c. 
The second copy shall be retained by the Purchasing Agent and the third copy shall be retained in the Department for which the purchase is made.
[1975 Code § 2-19.10]
When emergency repairs to equipment are required immediately and either Department Head or Purchasing Agent or both are unavailable, the employee who has been designated by the Department Head to submit purchase orders may authorize the necessary repairs in an amount not to exceed $150 without first obtaining the signature of whichever official is unavailable. However, in the event such repairs are authorized by the designated employee, the designated employee shall obtain the signatures of the Department Head and Purchasing Agent within three days of the date on which the repairs are authorized.
[1975 Code § 2-19.11]
a. 
Any officer or employee who authorizes purchases on behalf of the Borough without complying with the requirements hereof shall reimburse the Borough in full for the cost of the purchases authorized by the officer or employee.
b. 
Failure to so reimburse the Borough shall be cause for the discharge or suspension of the officer or employee where permitted by law.
c. 
An officer or employee who makes a good faith attempt to comply with the requirements set forth herein by reason of circumstances beyond the control of the officer or employee shall not be required to reimburse the Borough for the amount of the unauthorized purchase.
d. 
This section shall not be construed to limit any right of civil action which the Borough might have against the officer or employee to recover the amount of the unauthorized purchases.
[1975 Code § 2-17.1]
Any person claiming payment from the Borough shall first submit a detailed statement of the items or demand necessitating such claim to the responsible executive agency, specifying particularly how the bill or demand is made up, and a certification of the party claiming payment that it is correct.
[1975 Code § 2-17.2]
No bill, claim or demand shall be considered for payment unless the voucher has attached to it (or includes) a certification from a designated Borough employee, having personal knowledge of the facts that the goods have been received by, or the services rendered to the Borough, and that those services or goods are consistent with an existing contract or purchase order. The Chief Financial Officer shall have the duty to audit, warrant and make recommendations on all claims and bills.
[1975 Code § 2-17.3]
The bill or claim duly certified shall be presented to the Borough Clerk for inclusion in the proceedings of the next formal meeting of the Borough Council and it shall be the duty of the Clerk to examine all bills or claims submitted for payment in order to ascertain if proper administrative procedures have been followed. All claims or bills to be considered by the Borough Council shall be listed systematically and without preference and the list shall be made available to every member of the Borough Council at least three full days prior to formal action by that body.
[1975 Code § 2-17.4]
Claims shall be considered by the Council which shall approve the same, except that the Borough Council may reject any claim presented to it, stating the reason for such rejection. Any tie votes may be broken by the vote of the Mayor. Any disapproved claim shall be referred back to the Borough Clerk with such instructions as the Borough Council may give at the time of disapproval.
[1975 Code § 2-17.5]
It shall be the duty of the Borough Clerk to record all claims in the official minutes or through an appropriate claims register, indicating that the Borough Council has by formal action approved the same with appropriate records as to any claims disapproved or rejected. All records pertaining to approved or disapproved bills or claims shall be available for public inspection.
[1975 Code § 2-17.6]
The Chief Financial Officer shall make disbursements upon receipt of an order by Borough Council, attested by the Borough Clerk. If in the event that the Mayor vetoes the payment of any claims or bills, the Chief Financial Officer may be authorized to make payment by a vote of the Borough Council whereby at least two-thirds of all the Council members vote to override such veto of any claim or bill.
[1975 Code § 2-17.7]
After the Clerk has certified that the claims have been approved, the Clerk shall turn the same over to the Chief Financial Officer, who shall forthwith prepare the necessary checks for the payment thereof, which checks shall be signed by the Mayor and thereafter signed by the Chief Financial Officer. After preparing checks for the payment of claims, he shall record them in proper books of account and thereafter mail the checks to the claimants.
[Ord. No. 3-98 § 1]
The purpose of this section is to regulate payment of fire insurance proceeds on properties within the Borough of South Toms River.
[Ord. No. 3-98 § 2]
a. 
No insurer issuing fire insurance policies in the State of New Jersey which issues or renews any fire insurance policy after the adoption of this section and the filing of same with the State Commissioner of Insurance, shall pay to any claimant a sum in excess of $2,500 for fire damage on any real property located within the Borough of South Toms River until such time as:
1. 
All taxes and assessments and all other municipal liens and charges due and payable to the Borough of South Toms River, as are indicated on an official certificate of search for municipal liens, shall have been paid in full; or
2. 
The municipality submits to the insurance company a copy of a resolution adopted pursuant to N.J.S.A. 17:36-11.
b. 
However, if an appeal is taken on the amount of any lien or charge, other than an appeal on an assessed valuation of real property, the insurance company shall issue a draft payable to the court of record pursuant to N.J.S.A. 17:36-10 in an amount totaling 75% of the full amount of the lien or charge being contested, and the insurance company shall issue a draft payable to the Borough of South Toms River for the remaining 25% of the lien or charge being contested; provided, however, that the amount paid by the insurance company to the court and the municipality shall not exceed the proceeds payable under its insurance policy.
c. 
The provisions of this section are intended to be interpreted in conjunction with N.J.S.A. 17:36-8 through N.J.S.A. 17:36-13, as amended. The provisions of these statutes are herein incorporated by reference.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Section 2-33, the Creation of the Office of Municipal Public Defender.
[Ord. No. 2-98 § 9]
Eligibility for services of the Municipal Public Defender shall be determined by the Municipal Court on the basis of the need of the defendant. Need shall be measured according to Section 14 of P.L. 1967, c. 43 and guidelines promulgated by the New Jersey Supreme Court.
In the event that a determination of eligibility cannot be made before the time when the first services are to be rendered, or if an initial determination is found to be erroneous, the Municipal Court shall refer the defendant to the Municipal Public Defender provisionally, and if subsequently it is determined that the defendant is ineligible the Municipal Court shall inform the defendant, and the defendant shall be obliged to engage his/her own counsel and to reimburse the Borough for the cost of the service rendered to that time. The Municipal Court shall make an investigation of the financial status of each defendant seeking representation pursuant to this section, and shall have the authority to require a defendant to execute and deliver written requests or authorizations required under applicable law to provide the Court with access to records of public or private sources, otherwise confidential, as may be of aid in evaluating eligibility. The Court is authorized to obtain information from any public record office of the State or of any subdivision or agency thereof on request and without of the fees ordinarily required by law.
Whenever a person entitled to representation by a Municipal Public Defender pursuant to this section is under the age of 18 years, the eligibility for services shall be determined on the basis of the financial circumstances of the individual and the financial circumstances of the individual's parents or legal guardians. The Borough shall be entitled to recover the cost of legal services from the parents or legal guardians as provided in this section, and the Municipal Court shall have authority to require parents or legal guardians to execute and deliver the written requests or authorization required under applicable law in order to provide the Court with access to records of public or private sources, otherwise confidential, as may be of aid to it in evaluating eligibility.
If the defendant has or reasonably expects to have means to meet some part, though not all, of the cost of the services rendered, the defendant shall be required to reimburse the Borough, either by a single payment or by installments in such amounts as he/she can reasonably be expected to pay.
The Borough shall have a lien on any property to which the defendant shall have or acquire an interest for an amount equal to the reasonable value of the services rendered to a defendant pursuant to this section as calculated at the same rate as the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender bills clients at that time.
The Borough may attempt to effectuate such lien and to collect monies due to the Borough all in accordance with the provisions of S-1886 enacted into law on September 23, 1997, as amended.
[Ord. No. 2-98 § 10]
Any person seeking to be represented by the Municipal Public Defender, or Court approved counsel, shall pay an application fee to the Borough of $200 unless the Municipal Court determines that the amount necessary to the pay the cost of the Municipal Public Defender will be less than $200. In accordance with guidelines promulgated by the New Jersey Supreme Court, the Municipal Court may waive any required application fee, in whole or in part, only if the Court determines, in its discretion, upon a clear and convincing showing by the applicant, that the application fee represents an unreasonable burden on the person seeking representation. The Municipal Court may permit an applicant to pay the application fee over a specified period of time, not to exceed four months.
Funds collected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in a dedicated fund administered by the Chief Financial Officer of the Borough. Such funds shall be used exclusively to meet the costs incurred in providing the services of the Municipal Public Defender including, when required, expert and lay investigation and testimony.
[Ord. No. 5-02 § 1]
The Borough hereby establishes a policy to provide access to the public for records, subject to the "Right-to-Know Law" as amended, the common law and subpoenaed records, pursuant to pending litigation and/or court order which may be subject to judicial review.
[Ord. No. 5-02 § 2]
a. 
All requests for public records shall be made through the Office of the Municipal Clerk on a form approved by the Borough. No request for public records shall be honored without a properly filled out form, except for documents requested by the Mayor and/or Borough Council, the Borough Attorney or other Borough Special Counsel, and the tax record card requested by taxpayer to the Tax Assessor pursuant to any pending Ocean County Board of Taxation or New Jersey State Tax Court appeal(s).
b. 
All requests for public records by taxpayers, citizens, newspaper reporters, attorneys and other applicable parties directed to Department Heads or other Borough officials/employees shall be directed to the Municipal Clerk's office which will serve as the repository and custodian of such requests and the dissemination of forms to obtain public records not within the Clerk's control/possession.
[Ord. No. 5-02 § 3]
a. 
Immediate Access. One working day or less shall be granted for such items as budgets, bills, vouchers, contracts, including collective negotiation agreements and individual employment contracts and public employee salary and overtime information.
b. 
Upon receipt of a request for other public records, if these records are public, the Borough will endeavor to honor such request within seven working days of the receipt of the request. "Working Days" are defined as Monday through Friday, excluding holidays and weekends. However, there will be times when due to the nature or extent of the request, or manpower available, the Borough will be unable to honor the request within seven working days; if such, the Borough shall attempt to complete such request as soon as feasibly possible and shall notify the requester when the requested records will be provided.
c. 
All persons requesting public records must understand that the public business of the Borough will take precedence over a record request especially where such request is a broad or far-reaching information request.
[Ord. No. 5-02 § 4]
All requests for public records shall, except for requests by Borough employees/officials acting in their official capacity, be subject to the Borough's policy as to copying costs.
[Ord. No. 5-02 § 5]
The following records, or types of records, which are not public and shall not be made available to the public are, but not limited to the following:
a. 
Records of a personal nature regarding Borough Officials, employees and/or other applicable individuals.
b. 
Medical records of Borough Officials, employees and/or other applicable individuals.
c. 
All records exempted by State and/or Federal statutes, rules and/or regulations.
d. 
All records, exempted by presidential and/or gubernatorial executive order.
e. 
All records which are exempted from the definition of "public records" pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.
f. 
Confidential Police investigation reports as set forth in N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.
g. 
Work product or notes of Borough officials/employees.
h. 
Council closed-session minutes involving personnel matters, or attorney-client or other privileged communications. Council open-session minutes shall not be considered public records until such time as they are approved by the Borough Council. Council closed-session minutes, other than involving personnel matters, shall not be considered public records until such time as they are approved by the Borough Council and the matter(s) in question have been concluded pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq. They may not be made public if they contain personal information as exempted by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1. A report prepared for review by the Mayor and Borough Council shall not be deemed a public record until at least seven calendar days after disbursement of the report by the Municipal Clerk to the Mayor and Council or the next Council meeting, whichever is later.
[Ord. No. 5-02 § 6]
Request forms for public information shall be supplied by the Borough Clerk. Said form shall include:
a. 
Specific directions and procedures for requesting a record;
b. 
A statement as to whether pre-payment of fees or deposit is required. The custodian may require a deposit against costs for reproducing documents sought through an anonymous request whenever the custodian anticipates the information requested will cost in excess of $5 to reproduce.
c. 
The time period within which the public agency is required to make the record available, i.e. seven business days or greater if the records are archived.
d. 
A statement of the requestor's right to challenge a decision by the public agency to deny access and the procedure for filing an appeal.
e. 
Spaces for the custodian to list reasons if a request is denied in whole or in part.
f. 
Space for the requestor to sign and date the form.
g. 
Space for the custodian to sign and date the form if the request is fulfilled or denied.
[Ord. No. 5-02 § 7]
Not all request for public records do, in fact, lead to the copying, review and/or release of such records. A public record may be a public record under common law, but may not be a public record under the "Right-to-Know" law (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.) or vice versa, or it may be or may not be a public record under any other legal statute, rules, regulations and/or court decision. The Municipal Clerk shall seek the opinion of the designated Borough Attorney as to whether or not a record is public if there is any question as to its potential copying, review and/or release.
[Ord. No. 5-02 § 8]
In the event that any section of the within ordinance is deemed to be in conflict with the New Jersey "Right-to-Know" law, said law shall take precedence over the specific section.
[Ord. No. 17-2006; Ord. No. 17A-2006]
As used in this section:
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
For the purposes of this section, shall mean as defined by N.J.S.A. § 40A:11-2(6), services rendered or performed by a person authorized by law to practice a recognized profession, whose practice is regulated by law, and the performance of which services requires knowledge of an advanced type in a field of learning acquired by a prolonged formal course of specialized instruction and study as distinguished from general academic instruction or apprenticeship and training. For purposes of this section, however, professional services shall not include professional artistic services as defined at N.J.S.A. § 40A:11-2(6). Professional services shall include financial services or insurance services.
PUBLIC EXIGENCY
Shall mean as determined by the State Treasurer as applied to the award of Title 19 Contracts and as determined by the governing body as applied to professional service contracts with value of $17,500 or less.
TITLE 19 CONTRACTS
Shall mean a contract or agreement, between the Borough of South Toms River and a business entity as defined within N.J.S.A. 19:44D-20.7, which has an anticipated value in excess of $17,500 as determined in advance and certified in writing by the Borough's Chief Financial Officer, including but not limited to, professional services contract, extraordinary unspecifiable contracts, other contracts exempt from bidding (value in excess of $17,500 but less than the Borough's threshold), and cooperative purchasing. Contracts awarded by competitive contracting pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-4.1 et seq. and contracts which must be publicly bid under the Local Public Contracts Law are not included in the definition of Title 19 Contracts for purposes of this ordinance.
[Ord. No. 17-2006; Ord. No. 17A-2006]
a. 
The governing body shall award all Title 19 contracts and all contracts for the provision of professional services on the basis of qualification based, competitive negotiation.
b. 
Professional Service contract and Title 19 contract requests for proposals shall be published by the posting of a public notice at least 10 days prior to the awarding of any Title 19 contract or contract for professional services.
c. 
The public notice shall be:
1. 
Prominently posted in the public place reserved for Sunshine Law notices;
2. 
Mailed, telephoned, telegrammed, faxed or hand delivered to at least two newspapers designated to receive such notices because they have the greatest likelihood of informing the public within the municipality, one of which shall be the official newspaper of the municipality;
3. 
Filed with the Clerk of the municipality.
d. 
The public notice shall, at minimum, include:
1. 
A description of the services or goods needed, including, where appropriate, a description of the tasks involved.
2. 
Threshold qualification requirements setting the highest possible, minimum standards for qualifying to compete for the particular services, tasks and/or goods involved.
3. 
Notice that standardized submission requirements and selection criteria are on file and available at a stated location in the Borough.
4. 
Deadline and place for all submissions, and the manner by which the contract shall be publicly opened and announced when awarded.
e. 
Standardized submission requirements shall include:
1. 
Names and roles of the individuals who will perform the task and a description of their experience with projects similar to the matter being advertised.
2. 
References and record of success.
3. 
Description of ability to provide the services in a timely fashion (including staffing, familiarity and location of key staff).
4. 
Cost details, including the hourly rates of each of the individuals who will perform services and time estimates for each individual, all expenses, and, where appropriate, total cost of "not to exceed" amount.
f. 
The selection criteria to be used in awarding a Title 19 contract or a contract or agreement for professional services shall include:
1. 
Full name and business address.
2. 
Qualification of the individuals who will perform the tasks and the amounts of their respective participation (professional services contracts only).
3. 
Any professional or business licenses held by the applicant in the State of New Jersey, or any other State, including a "Certificate of Good Standing" or other documents evidencing that the license is not presently suspended or revoked.
4. 
The number of licensed professionals employed by, or associated with, the applicant.
5. 
A listing of all degrees (college and/or graduate degrees) held by the applicant and any associated professionals in the business entity (professional service contracts only).
6. 
A listing of all public entities for whom the business entity has had a contractual relationship, either currently or previously, including the dates of service and the positions held.
7. 
A listing of any professional affiliations or membership in any professional societies or organizations, including any offices or honors held (professional services contracts only).
8. 
Experience and references.
9. 
Ability to perform the task in a timely fashion (professional service contracts shall include staffing and familiarity with subject matter.)
10. 
Cost consideration-including, but not limited to, historical costs for similar professional services, expertise involved and comparable costs for comparable public entities.
g. 
All submissions shall be kept on file during the term of the related contract, and shall be public records after the deadline for the submission or proposals and award of the contract.
h. 
Exceptions.
1. 
If public exigency requires the immediate delivery of goods or performance of emergency services, the Borough Council may waive part or all of the requirements by a majority vote of the full Council in the appointing resolution, setting forth with specificity the reasons such waiver is required.
2. 
If requests for proposals have been advertised pursuant to this section and (a) no responses have been received or (b) less responses were received than the number of positions needed or (c) responses did not meet the minimum specifications or were otherwise non-responsive, the governing body may negotiate with any qualified business entity and may award a contract upon adoption of a resolution by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the authorized membership of the governing body. The terms, conditions, restrictions and specifications set forth in the negotiated contract may not be substantially different from those which were the subject of request for proposals.
[Ord. No. 17-2006 § 5]
This ordinance (section) shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State in accordance with P.L. 2005, c. 271.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
The Legislature of the State of New Jersey has determined that various statutes authorized by Article VIII, Section 1, Paragraph 6 of the New Jersey Constitution permitting municipalities to grant for periods of five years exemptions or abatements, or both, from taxation in areas in need of rehabilitation have proven to be effective in promoting construction and rehabilitation of residential and commercial and industrial structures in areas threatened with economic and social decline. In response, the Legislature adopted Chapter 441 of the Laws of 1991 (C.40A:21-1 et seq.) (the "Act") to consolidate and make more coherent the most useful features of those statutes. The Borough of South Toms River makes known its intention to utilize the tax exemption provisions authorized by Article VIII, Section 1, Paragraph 6 of the New Jersey Constitution, as enacted through the provisions of the Act, to authorize five-year exemptions for improvements to dwellings, construction of new dwellings, improvements to or conversion of structures to multiple dwellings and improvements to and construction of commercial and industrial structures.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
As used in this section the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANNUAL PERIOD
Means a duration of time comprising 365 days, or 366 days when the included month of February has 29 days, that commences on the date that an exemption for a project becomes effective pursuant to Section 16 of the Act and subsection 2-62.13 of this section.
AREA IN NEED OF REHABILITATION
Means a portion or all of a municipality which has been determined to be an area in need of rehabilitation or redevelopment pursuant to the "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law," P.L. 1992, c.79 (C. 40A:12A-1 et seq.), a blighted area as determined pursuant to the "Blighted Areas Act," P.L. 1949, c.187 (C.40:55-21.1 et seq.), or which has been determined to be in need of rehabilitation pursuant to P.L. 1975, c. 104 (C.54:4-3.72 et seq.), P.L. 1977, c.12 (C. 54:4-3.95 et seq.), or P.L. 1979, c.233 (C.54:4-3.121 et seq.).
ASSESSOR
Means the officer of the Borough charged with the duty of assessing real property for the purpose of general taxation.
BOROUGH
Means the Borough of South Toms River, in the County of Ocean, State of New Jersey.
BOROUGH ATTORNEY
Means the legal counsel for the Borough.
BOROUGH COUNCIL
Means the Municipal Council of the Borough.
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR
Means the Business Administrator of the Borough.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Means the Chief Financial or Fiscal Officer of the Borough.
CLERK
Means the Municipal Clerk of the Borough.
COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE
Means a structure or part thereof used for the manufacturing, processing or assembling of material or manufactured products, or for research, office, industrial, commercial, retail, recreational, hotel or motel facilities, or warehousing purposes, or for any combination thereof, which the Borough Council determines will tend to maintain or provide gainful employment within the Borough, assist in the economic development of the municipality, maintain or increase the tax base of the municipality and maintain or diversify and expand commerce within the municipality. Commercial and industrial structures shall not include any structure or part thereof used or to be used by any business relocated from another qualifying municipality unless: the total square footage of the floor area of the structure or part thereof used or to be used by the business at the new site together with the total square footage of the land used or to be used by the business at the new site exceeds the total square footage of that utilized by the business at its current site of operations by at least 10%; and the property that the business is relocating to has been the subject of a remedial action plan costing in excess of $250,000 performed pursuant to an administrative consent order entered into pursuant to authority vested in the Commissioner of Environmental Protection under P.L. 1970, c.33 (C.13:1D-1 et seq.), the "Water Pollution Control Act," P.L.1977, c. 74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.), the "Solid Waste Management Act," P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-1 et seq.) and the "Spill Compensation and Control Act," P.L.1976, c.141 (C.58:10-23.11 et seq.).
COMPLETION
Means substantially ready for the intended use for which a building or structure is constructed, improved or converted, as determined by the Assessor.
CONDOMINIUM
Means a property created or recorded as a condominium pursuant to the "New Jersey Condominium Act," P.L. 1969, c.257 (C. 46:8B-1 et seq.).
CONSTRUCTION
Means the provision of a new dwelling, multiple dwelling or commercial or industrial structure, or the enlargement of the volume of an existing multiple dwelling or commercial or industrial structure by more than 30%, but shall not mean the conversion of an existing building or structure to another use.
CONVERSION OR CONVERSION ALTERATION
Means the alteration or renovation of a nonresidential building or structure, or hotel, motel, motor hotel or guesthouse, in such manner as to convert the building or structure from its previous use to use as a dwelling or multiple dwelling.
COOPERATIVE
Means a housing corporation or association, wherein the holder of a share or membership interest thereof is entitled to possess and occupy for dwelling purposes a house, apartment, or other unit of housing owned by the corporation or association, or to purchase a unit of housing owned by the corporation or association.
COST
Means, when used with respect to abatements for dwellings or multiple dwellings, only the cost or fair market value of direct labor and materials used in improving a multiple dwelling, or of converting another building or structure to a multiple dwelling, or of constructing a dwelling, or of converting another building or structure to a dwelling, including any architectural, engineering, and contractor's fees associated therewith, as the owner of the property shall cause to be certified to the governing body by an independent and qualified architect, following the completion of the project.
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Means the person appointed by the Mayor of the Borough to serve as the development officer pursuant to this section.
DWELLING
Means a building or part of a building used, to be used or held for use as a one or two-family home or residence, including accessory buildings located on the same premises, together with the land upon which such building or buildings are erected and which may be necessary for a fair enjoyment thereof, but shall not mean any building or part of a building, defined as a "multiple dwelling" pursuant to the "Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law," P.L. 1967, c.76 (C.55:13A-1 et seq.). A dwelling shall include, as they are separately conveyed to individual owners, individual residences within a cooperative, if purchased separately by the occupants thereof, and individual residences within a horizontal property regime or a condominium, but shall not include "general common elements" or "common elements" of such horizontal property regime or condominium as defined pursuant to the "Horizontal Property Act," P.L. 1963, c.168 (C. 46:8A-1 et seq.), or the "Condominium Act," P.L. 1969, c.257 (C. 46:8B-1 et seq.), or of a cooperative, if the residential units are owned separately.
EXEMPTION
Means that portion of the Assessor's full and true value of any improvement, conversion alteration, or construction not regarded as increasing the taxable value of a property pursuant to the Act.
HORIZONTAL PROPERTY REGIME
Means a property submitted to a horizontal property regime pursuant to the "Horizontal Property Act," P.L. 1963, c.168 (C. 46:8A-1 et seq.).
IMPROVEMENT
Means a modernization, rehabilitation, renovation, alteration or repair which produces a physical change in an existing building or structure that improves the safety, sanitation, decency or attractiveness of the building or structure as a place for human habitation or work, and which does not change its permitted use. In the case of a multiple dwelling, it includes only improvements which affect common areas or elements, or three or more dwelling units within the multiple dwelling. In the case of a multiple dwelling or commercial or industrial structure, it shall not include ordinary painting, repairs and replacement of maintenance items, or an enlargement of the volume of an existing structure by more than 30%. In no case shall it include the repair of fire or other damage to property for which payment of a claim was received by any person from an insurance company at any time during the three-year period immediately preceding the filing of an application for exemption pursuant to the Act.
MULTIPLE DWELLING
Means a building or structure meeting the definition of "multiple dwelling" set forth in the "Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law," P.L. 1967, c.76 (C. 55:13A-1 et seq.), and means for the purpose of improvement or construction the "general common elements" and "common elements" of a condominium, a cooperative, or a horizontal property regime.
PROJECT
Means the construction, improvement or conversion of a structure in an area in need of rehabilitation that would qualify for an exemption, or an exemption and abatement, pursuant to P.L. 1991, c.441 (C.40A:21-1 et seq.).
TAX AGREEMENT
Means an agreement for exemption for projects and the payments to be made in lieu of taxes as required pursuant to the terms of this section.
TAX COLLECTOR
Means the Tax Collector of the Borough.
TERMINATION DATE
Means June 7, 2025, except as may be extended under subsection 2-62.14.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
Improvements to dwellings, newly constructed dwellings, conversion of nonresidential structures to dwellings, including unutilized public buildings to one and two-family dwellings, cooperatives, if purchased separately by the occupant thereof, and individual residences within a horizontal property regime or a condominium located within the Borough are eligible to receive a five-year exemption, as provided in subsection 2-62.4 upon meeting the following qualifications:
a. 
The dwelling must be 20 years or older;
b. 
The property owner must occupy the dwelling, and in the case of a two-family dwelling the owner must occupy at least one of the residential units;
c. 
The dwelling shall be occupied by the owner or shareholder thereof in the case of a cooperative or condominium, as applicable;
d. 
All real estate taxes must be current;
e. 
The applicant must provide a certificate of occupancy or any other permit or approval required by the Borough; and
f. 
The applicant must submit two proofs of owner-occupancy. Such proofs can be a driver's license, utility bill, real estate tax bill or car registration. Proofs submitted must be current and valid at the time of submission.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
a. 
Exemption of Improvements to Dwellings.
The improvements made to a dwelling shall be granted an exemption from taxation if they meet the criteria established in subsection 2-62.3 of this ordinance. In determining the value of the real property, the Borough shall regard the first $25,000 in the Assessor's full and true value of the improvements as not increasing the value of the property for a period of five years, notwithstanding that the value of the property to which the improvements are made is increased as a result of the improvements. The assessment on any property granted an exemption pursuant to this subsection 2-62.4 shall not be less than the assessment on the property existing immediately prior to the improvements, unless an abatement is granted pursuant to paragraph b of this subsection, or there is damage to the structure through action of the elements sufficient to warrant a reduction.
b. 
Abatement of Portion of Improved Dwelling.
In addition to an exemption granted for improvements to a dwelling, an abatement shall be granted for a portion of the assessed value of the property receiving the exemption as it existed immediately prior to the improvements, if it meets the criteria established in subsection 2-62.3 of this section. An abatement for an improved dwelling shall be granted for five years, but the annual amount of the abatement granted to any single property shall not exceed 30% of the annual amount of the exemption.
c. 
Exemption of New Dwellings and Conversions.
An exemption shall be granted for a portion of the assessed value of the construction of new dwellings and conversions, including unutilized public buildings, to dwelling use if they meet the criteria established in subsection 2-62.3 of this section. In determining the value of the real property, the Borough shall regard 30% of the Assessor's full and true value of the dwelling constructed, or conversion alterations made, as not increasing the value of the property for a total of five years, notwithstanding that the value of the property upon which the construction or conversion occurs is increased as a result.
d. 
Abatement of Portion of New Dwellings and Conversions.
In addition to an exemption granted for a portion of the assessed value of the construction of new dwellings and conversions, or both, to dwelling use, an abatement shall be granted to a portion of the assessed value of the property receiving the exemption as it existed immediately prior to the construction of conversion alternation, if they meet the criteria established in subsection 2-62.3 of this section. An abatement for a dwelling shall be granted for five years, but the annual amount of the abatement shall not exceed 30% of the total cost of the construction or conversion alteration, and the total amount of the abatements granted to a single property shall not exceed the total costs of the construction or conversion alternation.
e. 
Exemption for Certain Housing Improvements to Accommodate Certain Disabled Persons.
An exemption shall be granted for improvements to a residential property that is a single-family dwelling, resulting from a renovation housing project, as defined under subsection d of section 14 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-14). In determining the value of real property, the Borough shall regard the Assessor's full and true value of the improvements as not increasing the taxable value of the property for a period of five years, notwithstanding that the value of the property to which the improvements are made is increased thereby. During the exemption period, the assessment on the property shall not be less than the assessment thereon immediately prior to the improvements.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
Improvements to multiple dwellings and conversions, including unutilized public buildings, to multiple dwelling use, which are included in the area in need of rehabilitation are eligible to receive a five-year exemption as provided in subsection 2-62.6 of this section upon meeting the following qualifications:
a. 
All real estate taxes must be current;
b. 
The applicant must provide a certificate of occupancy or any other permit or approval required by the Borough; and
c. 
The construction of any improvements to, and the operation of, any multiple dwelling must be in compliance with any and all applicable federal, state and local health and safety codes and regulations.
d. 
The entering of a tax agreement with the Borough (new construction only).
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
a. 
Exemptions on Improvements to Multiple Dwellings and Conversion. An exemption shall be granted from taxation of improvements made to multiple dwellings and conversions, including unutilized public buildings, to multiple dwelling use, if they meet the criteria established in subsection 2-62.5 of this section. In determining the value of the real property, the Borough shall regard the Assessor's full and true value of the improvements or conversion alterations as not increasing the value of the property for a period of five years, notwithstanding that the value of the property to which the improvements or conversion alterations are made is increased as a result of the improvements. The assessment on any property granted an exemption pursuant to this subsection 2-62.6 shall not be less than the assessment on the property existing immediately prior to the improvements or conversion alterations, unless an abatement is granted pursuant to paragraph b below, or there is damage to the multiple dwelling through action of the elements sufficient to warrant a reduction.
b. 
Abatement of Portion of Improvements to Multiple Dwellings and Conversion. In addition to an exemption granted for a portion of the assessed value of the improvements made to multiple dwellings and conversions, including unutilized public buildings, to multiple dwelling use, an abatement shall be granted to a portion of the assessed value of the property receiving the exemption as it existed immediately prior to the improvement or conversion alternation, if they meet the criteria established in subsection 2-62.3 of this section. An abatement for a multiple dwelling shall be granted for five years, but the annual amount of the abatement shall not exceed 30% of the total cost of the improvement or conversion alteration, and the total amount of the abatements granted to a single property shall not exceed the total costs of the construction or conversion alternation.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
Improvements to commercial and industrial structures that are located within the area in need of rehabilitation are eligible to receive a five-year exemption as provided herein upon meeting the following qualifications:
a. 
All real estate taxes must be current;
b. 
The applicant must provide a certificate of occupancy or any other permit or approval required by the Borough; and
c. 
The construction and the operation of the commercial and industrial structure, must be in compliance with any and all applicable federal, state and local health and safety codes and regulations.
d. 
The entering of a tax agreement with the Borough (new construction only).
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
An exemption shall be granted from taxation of improvements made to commercial and industrial structures if they meet the criteria established in subsection 2-62.7 of this section. In determining the value of the real property, the Borough shall regard the Assessor's full and true value of the improvements as not increasing the value of the property for a period of five years, notwithstanding that the value of the property to which the improvements are made is increased. The assessment on any property granted an exemption pursuant to this subsection 2-62.8 shall not be less than the assessment on the property existing immediately prior to the improvements or conversion, except where there is damage to the structure through action of the elements sufficient to warrant a reduction.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
No exemption shall be granted pursuant to subsections 2-62.4, 2-62.6 or 2-62.8 of this section except upon written application therefor filed with and approved by the Assessor. Every application shall be on a form prescribed by the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury, and provided for the use of parties seeking exemptions, or exemptions by the governing body of the Borough. All applications pursuant to subsections 2-62.4, 2-62.6 or 2-62.8 of this section shall be filed with the Assessor within 30 days, including Saturdays and Sundays, following the completion of the improvement, conversion alteration or construction. Every such application for exemption which is filed within the time specified and prior to the Termination Date shall be approved and allowed by the Assessor provided that the application is consistent with the provisions of this ordinance, as applicable, and provided that the improvement, conversion alteration or construction for which the application is made qualifies as an improvement, a conversion alteration or construction pursuant to the provisions of Act and this section.
The Assessor shall approve or deny applications for exemptions pursuant to subsections 2-62.4, 2-62.6 or 2-62.8 of this section within 45 days of receipt of a timely and completed application. Incomplete applications shall be returned to the applicant with notice of any deficiencies and/or missing information or documentation. Any such application that is returned to the applicant for correction or the provision of further information must be resubmitted to the Assessor within 20 days of receipt by the applicant. Returned applications are deemed to be received by the applicant within three days of mailing. Any returned application that is not resubmitted to the Assessor within the required period shall be deemed denied.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
The Borough Council may approve and enter into tax agreements for the exemption from taxation for new construction of commercial, industrial or multiple dwelling Projects that are located in the area in need of rehabilitation pursuant to subsections 2-62.11, 2-62.12 and 2-62.13 upon meeting the following qualifications:
a. 
All real estate taxes must be current;
b. 
The applicant must provide a certificate of occupancy or any other permit or approval required by the Borough; and
c. 
The construction and the operation of the project must be in compliance with any and all applicable Federal, State and local health and safety codes and regulations.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
In addition to the application form provided by the Director of the Division of Taxation, applications for tax exemptions for new construction of commercial, industrial or multiple dwelling projects shall include the following:
a. 
A general description of the project for which an exemption is sought;
b. 
A legal description of all real estate necessary for the project;
c. 
Plans, drawings and other documents to demonstrate the structure and design of the project;
d. 
A description of the number, classes and type of employees to be employed at the project site within two years of completion of the project;
e. 
A statement of the reasons for seeking tax exemption on the project, and a description of the benefits to be realized by the applicant if an exemption is granted;
f. 
Estimates of the cost of constructing the project;
g. 
A statement indicating which of the formulas the applicant proposes to be used to calculate the payments in lieu of full property taxes, as authorized by Section 10 of the Act (C.40A:21-10);
h. 
A statement showing (1) the real property taxes currently being assessed at the project site; (2) estimated payments that would be made annually by the applicant on the project during the period of the tax agreement, and (3) estimated tax payments that would be made by the applicant on the project during the first full year following the termination of the tax agreement;
i. 
If the project is a commercial or industrial structure, a description of any and all lease agreements between the applicant and proposed users of the project, and a history and description of the users' businesses;
j. 
If the project is a multiple dwelling, a description of the number and types of dwelling units to be provided, a description of the common elements or general common elements, and a statement of the proposed initial rentals or sales prices of the dwelling units according to type and of any rental lease or resale restrictions to apply to any dwelling units respecting low or moderate-income housing;
k. 
A schedule of the estimated completion date of the project; and
l. 
Such other pertinent information as may be required by the Borough.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
Applications for tax agreements for exemption of new construction of commercial, industrial or multiple dwelling projects shall be filed prior to commencement of the project and prior to the Termination Date and shall be approved or denied by ordinance of the Borough Council. Prior to consideration by the Borough Council for approval, all applications shall be reviewed by the following Borough officials:
a. 
Development Review. Upon receipt of an application, the Development Officer shall conduct a complete review of the proposed project and/or subject property. The review shall take into consideration the property and appropriateness and adequacy of the description(s), plan(s) and estimate(s) submitted, and the degree to which the project and/or property complies with the Borough's development goals as expressed in the master plan, zoning ordinance, redevelopment plans and rehabilitation plans, as applicable. Upon completion of the review, the Development Officer shall submit a recommendation for approval or disapproval of the application to the Borough Attorney. The recommendation shall include any changes to the project and/or subject property that may be deemed necessary by the Development Officer, as well as any analysis performed or relied upon.
b. 
Financial Review. Upon receipt of an application, the Chief Financial Officer shall conduct a financial review of the application including a cost and benefit analysis of the proposed project and/or improvements subject to the application. Upon completion of the review, the Chief Financial Officer shall submit a recommendation for approval or disapproval of the application to the Borough Attorney. The recommendation shall include any analysis performed or relied upon by the Chief Financial Officer.
c. 
Legal Review. Upon receipt of an application, the Borough Attorney or other designated counsel shall conduct a review as to the form and legality of the application. In addition, the Borough Attorney shall obtain written certifications from Borough officials as necessary to substantiate the information contained in an application. The Borough Attorney shall make a determination as to the propriety of an application. Applications shall be deemed proper in those cases where they are presented in the proper form, satisfy the requirements of this section and all other applicable statutes and ordinances, and for which no delinquency has been reported regarding any payments due to the Borough as certified by the Tax Collector or other municipal officials. Where an application is deemed to be complete and conforming pursuant to the requirements of this section, the Borough Attorney shall prepare an ordinance in the form necessary to authorize the exemption and shall prepare the form of the tax agreement. All tax agreements shall be in the form filed with the Clerk at the time of adoption of this ordinance. The approving ordinance shall be prepared by the Borough Attorney and submitted, together with the form of the tax agreement, the full application, and the recommendation of the Chief Financial Officer and the Development Officer, to the Business Administrator for his/her consideration.
In those cases where an application is deemed improper, the Borough Attorney shall prepare correspondence outlining those aspects of the application found to be deficient and shall forward that correspondence, together with the application and the recommendations of the Chief Financial Officer and the Development Officer to the Business Administrator for consideration.
d. 
Business Administrator Review. Upon receipt of an application and the recommendation of the Borough Attorney, the Business Administrator shall determine the action to be taken with regard to the application. When the application has been deemed proper by the Borough Attorney, the Business Administrator shall determine whether to recommend the adoption of the authorizing ordinance and its attachments by the Borough Council, or to recommend the denial of the application as not being in the best interests of the Borough. Where the application has been deemed improper by the Borough Attorney, the Business Administrator shall determine whether the deficiencies can be corrected, and if so may direct the applicant and/or the appropriate municipal official as to the actions required. If the deficiencies cannot be corrected or if the application is deemed not in the best interests of the Borough, the Business Administrator may recommend the denial of the application.
In those cases where the Business Administrator affords the applicant the opportunity to correct certain deficiencies, the application may be reconsidered after submission of the corrected application to the Assessor, after which the process outlined in this subsection 2-62.12d shall be conducted again.
In those cases where the Business Administrator has recommended the denial of an application without condition and where such formal action to deny an application has been taken by the Borough Council, the application may only be reconsidered by reapplication to the Assessor, which application shall be treated in its entirety as a new application.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, the recommendation of the Business Administrator to the Borough Council, whether for approval or denial, shall occur within 120 calendar days after the date of the receipt of a complete application.
e. 
Tax Agreements.
1. 
Form of Tax Agreement. The tax agreement shall include the identification of the affected property by the Tax Map designation and street address, the nature and scope of the structure to be constructed thereon, the formula for computing payments in lieu of taxes, the duration of the agreement and the grounds for termination. The tax agreement shall require timely payment of any and all municipal taxes, fees and charges arising from or related to a property granted an exemption.
The tax agreement shall in all cases further provide that any change made in the ownership of the project or which would materially change the terms of the tax agreement shall be deemed a material breach of the agreement, which shall be cause for termination of the tax agreement. The tax agreement shall provide that the failure to make payments in lieu of taxes as required or to comply with any provision, term or condition of the agreement shall be grounds for the Borough to terminate the tax agreement, and/or to exercise such other remedies as may be provided by statute, this section or the tax agreement.
2. 
Payment in Lieu of Taxes. All owners of projects subject to exemption pursuant to the approval and execution of a tax agreement shall be charged and obligated to make payments in lieu of full property taxes of an annual amount computed by one, but in no case a combination, of the three formulas authorized by Section 10 of the Act (C.40A:21-10), namely the "Cost", "Gross Revenue" or Tax Phase-In" basis.
3. 
Execution of Tax Agreement. Upon adoption of an ordinance by the Borough Council authorizing the Borough to enter into a tax agreement, the Clerk shall insure that the tax agreement is circulated to the appropriate persons or entities for execution. No tax agreement shall be considered to be in force and effect unless and until it has been signed by the applicant and the Mayor of the Borough, after which it shall be dated and certified by the Clerk by her/his signature and the affixing of the Borough seal.
4. 
Distribution of Executed Agreements.
Once a tax agreement has been fully executed, the Clerk shall distribute executed copies thereof to the applicant, the Assessor, the Construction Code Official, the Business Administrator and the Borough Attorney. The Clerk shall retain one executed copy which shall be placed on permanent file within her/his office and made available for examination pursuant to the Open Public Records Act (C. 47:1A-1 et seq.).
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
a. 
Duration of Tax Agreement; Termination.
All tax agreements authorized pursuant to this section shall be in effect for five full years next following the date of completion of the project.
If the owner of a property that is subject to a tax agreement pursuant to this section ceases to operate or disposes of the property without prior approval of the Borough Council, or fails to meet the conditions for qualifying for exemption, then the taxes which would have otherwise been assessed and payable for each year during which the tax agreement was in effect shall become due and payable as if no exemption had been granted. In the event a property owner fails to meet the qualifications and conditions for exemption, the Assessor, on behalf of the Borough, shall provide notice of such act or omission to the property owner and the Tax Collector. Within 15 days of the notice from the Assessor the Tax Collector shall provide notice to the property owner of the amount of the real estate taxes that are due.
Where it is determined that a new owner of a project or property will continue to use the project or property pursuant to the conditions which qualified the project or property for exemption, no tax shall be due, the exemption shall continue, and the tax agreement shall remain in effect in accordance with its terms.
Upon the termination of a tax agreement, a project shall be subject to all applicable real property taxes, as provided by general laws.
b. 
Conformance with Other Laws.
All projects subject to tax agreements as provided herein shall be subject to all applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations on pollution control, worker safety, discrimination in employment, housing provision, zoning, planning and building code requirements.
c. 
Filing of Tax Agreement.
Within 30 days after the execution of a tax agreement the Clerk shall file a copy with the Director of the Division of Local Government Services within the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
This section shall go into effect upon approval by the Borough Council in accordance with applicable law and shall remain in effect until the Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borough Council may, in its discretion, renew this section for an additional term not to exceed two years, if at least 20% of the eligible tax base of the Borough has applied for or utilized the provisions of this section. If such a renewal is approved by the Borough Council, the final date on which applications may be submitted under this section shall be the Termination Date. All applications for exemptions under this section must be submitted by the Termination Date. Any applications received after the Termination Date shall not be eligible for exemption.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
The effective date of an exemption granted pursuant to this section shall relate back to, and take effect as of, the date of completion of the improvement, conversion alteration or construction of property for which the exemption is granted, and shall continue for five annual periods from that date. The grant of the exemption or tax agreement shall be recorded and made a permanent part of the official tax records of the Borough, which record shall contain a notice of the termination date thereof.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
The Assessor shall determine, on October 1 of the year following the date of the completion of an improvement, conversion or construction, the true taxable value thereof. Except for projects subject to tax agreements pursuant to this section, the amount of the taxes to be paid for the tax year in which the improvement, conversion or construction of a property is completed shall be based on the assessed valuation of the property for the current tax year, minus the amount of the abatement, if any, allowed pursuant to this ordinance and pro rated, plus any portion of the assessed valuation of the improvement, conversion or construction not allowed an exemption pursuant to this section, also pro rated. Except as otherwise provided, the property shall continue to be treated in the appropriate manner for each of the four tax years subsequent to the original determination by the Assessor and shall be pro rated for the final tax year in which the exemption expires.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
No exemption shall be granted, or tax agreement entered into, pursuant to the Act with respect to any property for which property taxes are delinquent or remain unpaid, or for which penalties for nonpayment of taxes are due.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
The exemption of real property taxes provided by the Borough pursuant to this section shall apply to property taxes levied for municipal purposes, school purposes, County government purposes and for the purposes of funding any other property tax exemptions.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
The Borough shall include a notice in the mailing of the annual property tax bills to each owner of the properties where exemptions are authorized pursuant to this section, advising such property owners of same before the end of the first year following adoption of this section.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
Any property granted an exemption pursuant to this section shall be subject to an inspection by the Borough on an annual basis to ensure that the property is in compliance with all applicable ordinances, regulations and codes of the Borough. Any property which is determined to be in violation of any ordinance, regulation or code governing health and safety standards, shall be subject to penalties and fines, as applicable, or any other remedial action permitted by State statute, including termination of any exemption.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
If any provision of this section is legally invalid or is hereafter found to be legally invalid, the remainder of the section shall remain in full force and effect.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
Nothing contained in this section shall be so construed as to limit or deprive the Borough of any rights or privileges which are now or in the future conferred on the Borough by State statute or Federal laws.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
The Assessor or his or her designee shall report, on or before October 1 of each year, to the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs and to the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:21-21.
[Ord. No. 6-2015; Ord. No. 8-2018]
All prior ordinances or parts of prior ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
[Ord. No. 8-2016]
Except as hereinafter provided, the Borough of South Toms River, hereinafter known as the Borough Council shall, upon the request of any present or former official, employee or appointee of the Borough Council provide for indemnification and legal defense of any civil action brought against said person or persons arising from an act or omission falling within the scope of their public duties.
[Ord. No. 8-2016]
The Borough Council shall not indemnify any person against the payment of punitive damages, penalties, or fines, but may provide for the legal defense of such claims in accord with the standards set forth herein. The Borough Council may refuse to provide for the defense and indemnification of any civil action referred to herein if the South Toms River Council determines that a) the act or omission did not occur within the scope of a duty authorized or imposed by law; b) the act or failure to act was the result of actual fraud, willful misconduct or actual malice of the person requesting defense and indemnification; or c) the defense of the action or proceeding by the Borough Council would create a conflict of interest between the Borough Council and the person or persons involved.
[Ord. No. 8-2016]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 59:10-4, the indemnification and defense provided for in this section shall include exemplary or punitive damages resulting from the employee's civil violation of State or Federal law if, in the opinion of the South Toms River Council, the acts committed upon which the damages are based did not constitute actual fraud, actual malice, willful misconduct or an intentional wrong.
[Ord. No. 8-2016]
The terms of this section and the definition of official, employee and appointee are to be construed liberally in order to effectuate the purposes of this section except that these terms shall not mean a) any person who is not a natural person; b) any person while providing goods or services of any kind under any contract with the Borough Council except an employment contract; c) any person while providing legal or engineering services for compensation unless said person is a full-time employee of the Borough Council; and d) any person who as a condition of his or her appointment or contract is required to indemnify and defend the Borough Council and/or secure insurance.
[Ord. No. 8-2016]
The Borough Council shall provide for defense of and indemnify any present or former official, employee or appointee of the Borough Council who becomes a defendant in a civil action if the person or persons involved a) acted or failed to act in a matter in which the Borough Council has or had an interest; b) acted or failed to act in the discharge of a duty imposed or authorized by law; and c) acted or failed to take action in good faith. For purposes of this section, the duty and authority of the Borough Council to defend and indemnify shall extend to a cross-claim or counterclaim against said person.
[Ord. No. 8-2016]
a. 
In any other action or proceeding, including criminal proceedings, the Borough Council may provide for the defense of a present or former official, employee or appointee, if the South Toms River Council concludes that such representation is in the best interest of the Borough Council and that the person to be defended acted or failed to act in accord with the standards set forth in this section.
b. 
Whenever the Borough Council provides for the defense of any action set forth herein and as a condition of such defense, the Borough Council may assume exclusive control over the representation of such persons defended and such person shall cooperate fully with the Borough Council.
c. 
The Borough Council may provide for the defense pursuant to this section by authorizing its attorney to act in behalf of the person being defended or by employing other counsel for this purpose or by asserting the right of the Borough Council under any appropriate insurance policy that requires the insurer to provide defense.