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Hopatcong discusses shared fire official service with Sussex County; county currently performing inspections
Summary
Council discussed an ongoing arrangement under which Sussex County has been performing fire official inspections for Hopatcong after a resignation; the borough is pursuing a formal shared-service agreement that would transfer the inspections (and associated fees) to the county pending county and state approvals.
Hopatcong officials told the council April 2 that Sussex County has been providing fire-inspection services since the borough’s fire marshal resigned, and staff are pursuing a formal shared-service agreement to make the arrangement permanent.
Administrator Shelby explained that the county has stepped in to perform inspections and that the arrangement so far “has been a really great partnership.” She said the shared-service option is expected to reduce borough operating costs and free staff resources for other tasks; she also said some inspection fees would flow to the county if the agreement is adopted.
Shelby told the council the next steps include obtaining written county approval and, because municipal shared services sometimes require state-level review, state acceptance as well. “It wouldn't cost the borough a dime to enter into the shared service,” she said, adding that the county has been performing inspections in the interim and will continue to do so until formal approvals are in place.
Council members asked staff and the CFO to do a financial analysis showing whether the county arrangement will be revenue-neutral or cost-saving once inspection fees, administrative overhead and potential lost revenue are factored in. The council also asked that any proposed agreement clarify where inspection fines and permit revenue would be deposited if the county performs the work.
Next steps: staff will prepare a proposed shared-service agreement and provide a fiscal memo for council review; any final agreement will require county approval and, where applicable, state authorization.
