1. Why must I file a Financial Disclosure Statement Form?
The Local Government Ethics Law and the Atlantic County Code of Ethics requires that officers of Atlantic County must annually file a financial disclosure statement. Atlantic County Code, Chapter 20, see also N.J.S.A.40A:9.22.1, et. seq. "Local government officer" means any person, whether compensated or not, whether part-time or full-time: (1) elected to any office of a local government agency; (2) serving on a local government agency which has the authority to enact ordinances, approve development applications or grant zoning variances; (3) who is a member of an independent municipal, county or regional authority; or (4) who is a managerial executive or confidential employee of a local government agency as defined in section 3 of the "New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act." N. J.S.A.40A:9-22.1, et.seq.

2. What if I have questions regarding the Financial Disclosure Statement Form?
The Atlantic County Ethics Board is the ultimate authority on the meaning of the ethics law. Any filer can ask the Board for an official advisory opinion on the application of the ethics law to his/her specific situation or by calling Mary Maudsley, the Board Solicitor, at 390-9078.

3. How do I file the form?
Filers must complete the original Financial Disclosure Statement Form and make two copies of the form. The original form and the two copies must all have original signatures. Filers must send:

a) The original form and one of the copies with original signatures to:
Office of the County Clerk of Atlantic County
5901 Main Street
CN 2005
Mays Landing, NJ 08330; and
b) A copy of the form with an original signature to:
Atlantic County Ethics Board.
c/o Mary Maudsley, Esq.
P.O. Box 1195
200 South Shore Road
Marmora, NJ 08223

4. What can happen if I don't file?
If those who are required to complete a financial disclosure form do not file before the specified deadline, nonfilers may be subject to a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00 and the Atlantic County Ethics Board may recommend further actions up to and including removal from his/her position. N.J.S.A.40A:9.22-10.

5. Section I. - Personal Information

A) The first part of Section I requires that I fill out information on the local government I serve. How do I complete this section correctly?
Filers must list the county they serve. Since the filer serves a county, leave the municipality section blank. Do not fill in the name of the municipality you live in under this portion of Section 1. If you serve a regional authority or other local government authority, please list that name under "other".

B) Section I of the Form requires that I list the positions I hold. What does that mean and what if I hold more than one?
"Positions held" refers to your title as a local government officer or employee. If you hold more than one position which requires you to complete this form, please list the county agency, title and term for each position. If you hold more than one position, but they are all for Atlantic County, only one form must be completed and filed. If you serve at different levels of local government such as for the county, a regional authority and/or municipal government, you must file separate forms with each entity. An example would be city council and board of freeholders. You may list both positions on one form if you serve at different levels; however, the form must be filed in each local government.

6. Section II - Financial Information

A) What period of time is applicable?
The financial information required in Section II is based on information for the prior calendar year.

B) Is this section applicable only to the filer?
Information must be provided for the person filing and members of the immediate family. "Member of the immediate family" means the spouse and/or dependent child of a local government officer or employee residing in the same household. N.J.S.A.40A:9-22.1, et. Seq.

C) Do I have to send in my tax returns along with the Financial Disclosure Form?
No. Under no circumstances should you attach any personal financial documents or forms such as tax returns or Social Security number to the Financial Disclosure Form.

D) Am I required to list the financial information of a "domestic partner"?
Currently, the law does not specify this requirement. The Atlantic County Ethics Board, however, would prefer that the information be included.

E) Do I have to list sources of income other than my county salary?
You must list your county job. In addition, you must consider as income all sources of income over $2,000.00, except income from publicly traded stocks. Earned and unearned income must be reported. Earned income is that received for one's labor or services such as salaries and wages. Unearned income is monetary compensation received when no labor or services are exchanged, such as social security, pension, interest income or rental property income. Each source of income, earned or unearned, exceeding $2,000.00 received by the county officer or employee or a member of his/her immediate family during the preceding calendar year must be listed. Amounts of income should not be reported.

F) Do I have to report child support payments?
Yes, if the income exceeds $2,000.00 per year; but you need not disclose the amount.

G) Do I have to report if I worked as a personal representative for an estate?
You must disclose if you worked as a personal representative for an estate only if that role has resulted in your receiving income over $2,000.00 in the preceding calendar year. However, you need not disclose the amount of compensation.

H) Do I have to report an inheritance and, if so, is that considered income or a gift?
An inheritance is a gift and the source should be reported.

I) Do I have to list any fees or honoraria?
Yes, you and your immediate family members must list each source of fees and honoraria having an aggregate amount exceeding $250.00, from any single source for personal appearances, speeches or writings received by you and/or a member of your immediate family during the preceding calendar year. You need not list the amount of the fees or honoraria, just the source.

J) Do I have to report any gifts, reimbursements or prepaid expenses?
Yes, you must list each source of gifts, reimbursements or prepaid expenses exceeding $400.00 from any single source, excluding relatives, received by you or a member of your immediate family during the preceding calendar year. You should not list the amounts. Examples include mileage reimbursement, hotel and meal expenses, travel expenses, vacations, etc.

K) Do I have to list all business interests in which I hold an interest?
You must list the name and address of all business organizations in which you or a member of your immediate family hold more than 10% of the profits, assets, or stocks, except publicly traded corporations.

L) Do I have to list all real estate I own?
Yes, you must provide a description of all real property in New Jersey in which you or a member of your immediate family held any interest in during the preceding calendar year. This would include your dwelling as well as a vacation home, rental property, etc.