NEW JERSEY Jersey. Townships, to which the term “municipalities” is applied by New Jersey New Jersey ranks 24th among the states in statutes, are counted for census purposes as number of local governments, with 1,383 as of township rather than municipal governments October 2007. (see below). All cities, towns, boroughs, and villages exist outside the area of any COUNTY GOVERNMENTS (21) governmentally active township. Cities are divided according to population size and There are no areas in New Jersey lacking location as follows: county government. The counties are divided into the following six classes: First class—more than 150,000 inhabitants Counties not bordering on the Atlantic Ocean: Second class—12,000 to 149,999 inhabitants First class—more than 550,000 inhabitants and Third class—fewer than 12,000 inhabitants, a population density of more than 3,000 excluding seaside resorts bordering on the persons per square mile Atlantic Ocean Second class—all other counties with more Fourth class—resort cities bordering on the than 200,000 inhabitants Atlantic Ocean Third class—50,000 to 199,999 inhabitants Township Governments (242) Fourth class—fewer than 50,000 inhabitants Townships, although not differing in legally authorized powers from the types of municipal Counties bordering the Atlantic Ocean: governments described above, are classified for census purposes as a separate type of Fifth class—more than 125,000 inhabitants government. All areas of the state are encompassed by township governments Sixth class—not more than 125,000 inhabitants except areas within the boundaries of a borough, city, town, or village. The county governing body is called the board of chosen freeholders. PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS (606) SUBCOUNTY GENERAL PURPOSE School District Governments (549) GOVERNMENTS (566) School district governments in New Jersey are The subcounty general purpose governments the Type 2 school districts. An elected board in New Jersey consist of municipal (borough, of education governs each Type 2 school city, town, and village) governments and district. Each district may determine the township governments. These two types of amount of local school tax levies and issue governments are distinguished primarily by the bonds with the approval of the voters. historical circumstances surrounding their Consolidated school districts are special types incorporation. In New Jersey, borough, city, of Type 2 school districts. town, village, and township governments have similar powers and perform similar functions. Regional school districts, also type 2 school districts, are created upon referendum. Municipal Governments (324) Regional school districts are further classified as “all purpose regional districts” that may The term “municipality,” as defined for census provide all school services within their area statistics on governments, applies only to the and, thus, replace the basic school districts, boroughs, cities, towns, and villages in New and “limited purpose regional districts” that provide only one or a limited number of school director of the board of chosen freeholders with services for their constituent districts. the consent of the board. Fiscal requirements are determined by a board of school estimate School districts may convert between a Type 1 and are provided by the county and state to a Type 2 school district with voter approval. governments. Type 1 school systems are described under “Dependent Public School Systems,” below. County colleges are established by the board of chosen freeholders with the consent of the Dependent Public School Systems (57) state commission on higher education and voter approval. Each county college is New Jersey statutes provide for the following governed by a board of trustees consisting of types of dependent public school systems: eight members representing the county and two members appointed by the Governor, plus Systems dependent on county governments: the county superintendent of schools and the college president. In addition, the student body County vocational school systems elects one representative. For junior colleges County special services school districts serving more than one county, the board is County colleges enlarged and apportioned among the counties Community college agencies based on the latest federal census. The Jointure commissions county governments may appropriate funds and issue bonds for the benefit of county Systems dependent on municipal colleges. governments: Community college agencies may be Type 1 school districts in boroughs, cities, established in any county that has not towns, or villages established a county college. These agencies are similar in formation, board, and powers to Systems dependent on township governments: county colleges. Type 1 school districts in townships County colleges may also be formed by any private institution of higher education and any Systems dependent on the state government: postsecondary institute of a county board of vocational education. The Union County State-operated school districts College was established under this law. County vocational school systems are Jointure commissions are established by two governed by a vocational school board or more school districts to provide for appointed by the chief elected executive officer education of the handicapped. These of the county or by the director of the board of commissions consist of representatives from chosen freeholders. The county the constituent school district boards. Their superintendent of schools also serves as an ex fiscal needs are apportioned to the establishing officio member. The fiscal needs of county districts. vocational school systems are determined by and provided for by the county governments. Each Type 1 school district is governed by a board of education appointed by the mayor or County special services school districts are other chief executive officer of the borough, established by resolution of the county board of city, town, township, or village it serves. Its chosen freeholders for the education and fiscal requirements are subject to review and treatment of handicapped children. Each final determination by a board of school district is governed by a board of education estimate consisting of members of the board of consisting of the county superintendent of education from its own membership and schools plus six members appointed by the members of the municipal governing body. The parent government may issue bonds on behalf County Bridge Commissions of the school district. County bridge commissions build, improve, and State-operated school districts are established maintain highway bridges. One or more by administrative order of the state board of counties may establish a commission. The education upon a finding by the commissioner commissions are appointed by the county of education that a local public school system board of chosen freeholders. Each is in need of reorganization in order to provide commission may fix tolls and issue bonds. efficient schools. A district board of education, appointed by the state board of education, County bridge commissions that serve only administers each state-operated school district. one government are not counted as separate The school districts are funded by local governments. See “Subordinate Agencies and property taxes. Upon completion of the Areas,” below. reorganization, the district is restored to local control. Voters decide whether the County Improvement Authorities reorganized district is to be a Type 1 school district or a Type 2 school district. These authorities, which finance, construct, and operate public buildings and facilities for Other Educational Activities various purposes, including public transportation, aviation, solid waste disposal, Educational services commissions are created financing of low income housing, and by the state board of education upon petition of redevelopment projects, may be established by five or more boards of education in one or resolution of the county governing body. A more counties. These commissions conduct board of five members appointed by the county programs of education research and provide governing body governs the authority; in some educational and administrative services. The counties, by ordinance, the county executive or establishing districts contribute to the support a county supervisor serves ex officio as a sixth of educational services commissions. For nonvoting board member. The authority may census reporting, these commissions are fix and collect rents, fares, tolls, and charges; classified as joint educational service agencies make loans; and issue revenue bonds. There of the participating school districts and are not were no joint improvement authorities reported counted as separate governments. in operation as of October 2007. The Educational Information and Resource County improvement authorities that serve only Center was established by special act to one government are not counted as separate provide services to school districts in Glouster governments. See “Subordinate Agencies and County. The center is classified as a joint Areas,” below. educational service agency of the participating school districts and is not counted as a Delaware River and Bay Authority separate government. This authority is counted under County parental schools for juvenile “Delaware—Special District Governments.” delinquents (known as county youth houses) are also authorized in counties of the first Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge class. Commission SPECIAL DISTRICT