52:27BBB-13 Copy of study available for public inspection.

13. a. Upon the completion of the municipal management study by the chief operating officer, the chief operating officer shall make available for public inspection a copy of the study in the office of the municipal clerk and each branch of the public library within the municipality.

b. The chief operating officer shall cause notice to be published in a newspaper circulating within the municipality that the study is available for public inspection, not less than 14 days before the meeting of the governing body at which the study is to be voted on.

c. The municipal management study shall become the official operating plan for the municipality unless the governing body rejects the study by a 2/3 vote of the fully authorized membership of the governing body within 30 days following the publication of notice pursuant to subsection b. of this section.

In the event that the governing body rejects the study, the rejection shall be accompanied by a statement specifically outlining the basis for the rejection of each element or component of the study along with an alternative proposal or proposals which accomplish the same objectives.

If the chief operating officer does not approve those alternatives proposed by the governing body, any disputed item shall be considered an impasse and subject to the dispute resolution process set forth in section 5 of P.L.2002, c.43 (C.52:27BBB-5).

If the governing body has not acted within 30 days following the publication of notice pursuant to subsection b. of this section, the study shall be considered adopted.

d. Upon the adoption of the municipal management study, the chief operating officer, in consultation with the director, shall establish a salary scale for each department head. To the extent that the established salaries exceed those paid by the municipality at the commencement of the rehabilitation term, the State shall absorb the increased expense for salaries and benefits during the rehabilitation term, and for two years thereafter, subject to appropriation.

e. Once the chief operating officer has established the salary scale and the municipal management study has been adopted, the chief operating officer shall cause to be prepared proposed ordinances effectuating the salary scales and those amendments to the administrative code necessary to implement the municipal management study.

L.2002,c.43,s.13.