58:27-25. Approval, conditional approval of application; review of contract

7. a. Within 60 days of receipt of the application, the division shall approve, or conditionally approve, an application submitted by a public entity pursuant to subsection f. of section 6 of P.L.1995, c.216 (C.58:27-24). Within 60 days of receipt of the hearing report, the department shall provide any comments on the hearing report or on the technical capabilities of the private firm or public authority that it deems appropriate to the division and the public entity. If the division fails to approve or conditionally approves the application within 60 days after receipt, the application shall be deemed approved, unless the public entity has agreed to an extension of the period. b. If the division conditionally approves the application, the division shall state in writing the revision to the proposed contract that is necessary in order for it to be approved. If the division determines that the required revision is substantial, the public entity shall hold a public hearing on the revision and adhere to the provisions of section 6 of P.L.1995, c.216 (C.58:27-24) in so doing. A substantial revision shall be a change that results in an increase in the charges, rates or fees of the private firm or public authority or that materially changes other terms and conditions of the contract. The proposed revision to the contract shall be submitted to the division and the department 15 days prior to the date of the public hearing. If the division determines that the required revision in the conditional approval is not substantial, the public entity shall submit the proposed revision to the contract to the division for approval and to the department for review. The revision shall be approved if found to be consistent with the conditions set forth in the conditional approval, or disapproved with a written explanation as to why the revision is not consistent, within 15 days after the next public meeting of the division. c. In its review of a contract, the division shall apply the following criteria in determining whether to approve the contract: (1) The terms of the proposed contract do not materially impair the ability of the public entity to punctually pay principal and interest due on its outstanding indebtedness and to supply other essential public improvements and services; (2) A concession fee paid by a private firm or a public authority as a result of the contract is paid directly to the municipality or municipalities that created or constitute the public entity, and any concession fee paid by a private firm or a public authority to a public entity is used for the purpose of reducing or off-setting property taxes, reducing wastewater treatment services rates, one-time nonrecurring expenses or capital asset expenditures; and (3) The contract contains the provisions required by subsection e. of section 5 of P.L.1995, c.216 (C.58:27-23). The division shall also review and specifically approve any contract provision pursuant to which a public entity will or may execute a financing instrument for the purposes set forth in the contract. In addition, the division shall review any contract between a public entity and public authority in which a concession fee is paid by the public authority to determine if the payment of the concession fee is in the best interest of the parties to the contract. d. The division may provide the public entity with any non-binding comments or advice during or after the review of the application as the division deems appropriate. e. The division shall assess and the applicant shall pay a fee equal to the cost incurred by the division for an analysis of an application by an independent person who has expertise in the area of wastewater treatment services if during the review of an application the division determines that such an analysis is required. f. If the public entity and private firm or public authority would like to amend a contract after approval of an application by the division, the public entity shall submit proposed amendments to the division for approval and to the department for review. At the next public meeting of the division after receipt of proposed amendments, the division shall determine whether the proposed amendments are substantial. If the amendments are substantial in nature as determined by the division, the public entity shall conduct a hearing pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1995, c.216 (C.58:27-24). Within 60 days of the receipt of proposed amendments that are not determined to be substantial, or within 60 days of the receipt of an application for approval of proposed amendments that are determined to be substantial, the division shall approve or conditionally approve the amendments in accordance with the applicable procedures established for approval of an original contract pursuant to this section. L.1995,c.216,s.7.