Ordinances

During the November 2004 General Meeting, the membership authorized board members" to develop "Anti-Nepotism" and "Reform in Public Contracting" (a k a Pay-to-Play) ordinances.

Anti-Nepotism: Its intention is to eliminate preferential treatment of relatives of government personnel. This ordinance was prompted by the fact –

That taxpayers are entitled to know and trust that municipal decisions are made on the basis of merit, in the public interest, and without preferential treatment and public/private conflicts of interest due to family relationships, and

That the governing body of the City of Brigantine needs to recognize that the goal and practice of good government is promoted by a policy of anti-nepotism.

This need for change is reflected by the groundswell of taxpayers in surrounding communities that have risen to demand honesty and accountability in their town governments by passing this type of ordinance. These communities include: the Borough of Bergenfield, Hamilton Township (Mercer County), and the Borough of Lavallette (Ocean County).

Pay-to-Play: Its intention is to inhibit professional businesses from making political contributions to local government officials who are ultimately responsible for awarding service contracts.

Key components of this policy are:

1. A professional business, which makes political contributions within two (2) calendar years prior to the date of the contract (in the form of money or any other thing of value) to municipal candidates, and municipal and county political parties, shall be ineligible to receive a service contract from the City of Brigantine.
2. Contributions are not permitted within two (2) calendar years prior to the date of the contract.
3. Prior to awarding any contract, the City will receive a sworn statement from the professional business, made under penalty of perjury, that the bidder has not made a contribution in violation of this ordinance. The business also has a continuing duty to report any violation of this ordinance that may occur during the negotiation or duration of a contract. Failure of a professional business to reveal a violation will cause that business to be disqualified from edligibility for four (4) years.

The need for honest and cost efficient government has prompted Brigantine citizens to join forces, along with twenty-five (25) other New Jersey communities, in drafting a P-top ordinance. The time has come to place limitations on excessive budgets by implementing creative cost measures. BTA has proposed such ordinances in the past to City Council, but Council has stated hat it prefers to wait for the implementation of state law. We believe that the City should act on its own.