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Warren County urges state to allow publishing legal notices on government websites
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution asking state leaders to authorize counties and municipalities to publish legal notices on official government websites, citing the March 1, 2025 sunset of a temporary provision and concerns about access and cost to taxpayers.
Warren County commissioners voted Feb. 11 to urge state lawmakers to allow counties, municipalities and school districts to publish official legal notices directly on their government websites. The Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution 80-25 unanimously.
The resolution seeks state legislation to replace a temporary measure and to make online publication an authorized method for legal notices. Commissioners and county counsel said the change would save taxpayer dollars and make notices easier for residents to find.
Why it matters: the resolution cites a temporary provision in P.L. 2024, c.106 that includes a sunset date of March 1, 2025. County officials said the looming deadline makes passage of new legislation or a permanent fix time-sensitive for local governments that have relied on the temporary rule.
In discussion before the vote, Commissioner James R. Kern III said the resolution is aligned with guidance from the New Jersey Administrative Code, the New Jersey School Boards Association and the League of Municipalities and noted the county’s public information office will supply website information ahead of a planned meeting with a judge. County Counsel Joseph Bell said there is a meeting scheduled with the judge on Feb. 26. Commissioner Deputy Lori Ciesla said, “people should not have to figure out what website to go to. They should be able to go directly to the municipality or county’s website to get the information they need.” Director Jason Sarnoski thanked Kern for leading the effort.
The full text of the resolution directs certified copies to be sent to Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, among other officials. The board recorded a unanimous vote: James Kern III, Lori Ciesla and Jason Sarnoski voted yes.
The resolution does not change state law; it is a formal request that state leaders adopt legislation allowing legal notices to be published on official government websites.
