The legal services budget in New Jersey towns, known as FCOA 20-155, is a part of the town’s budget that pays for all legal costs. This includes money for town lawyers, legal experts, and other related costs like paying for court cases, settlements, and anything else related to legal problems or following the law.
Appropriations for legal services in Clark’s Municipal Budget have increased from $138,828 in 2014 to $450,000 in 2024. This is an increase of $311,172 or a 224% increase. The largest increase of 75.6% occurred in 2022.
| Year | Amount | 1 Year % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $450,000 | 25% |
| 2023 | $360,000 | 10.77% |
| 2022 | $325,000 | 75.68% |
| 2021 | $185,000 | -28.85% |
| 2020 | $260,000 | 0% |
| 2019 | $260,000 | 23.81% |
| 2018 | $210,000 | 6.28% |
| 2017 | $197,593 | 1.33% |
| 2016 | $194,993 | 0.3% |
| 2015 | $194,404 | 40.03 |
| 2014 | $138,828 |
These numbers come from the Clark Township web site at: https://ourclark.com/153/Finance-Department
How It Can Change
The amount of money set aside for legal services can change for a few reasons:
Expected Legal Needs: If the town thinks it might have big legal problems or tough court cases next year, they might need to set aside more money for legal help.
Past Spending: If the town spent a lot on legal costs before, they might increase the budget to make sure they have enough money this time.
Changes in Laws: New rules from the state or federal government might need extra legal help, which could mean more money is needed.
Risk of Lawsuits: If the town thinks it might face more lawsuits, like property disputes or issues with employees, they might set aside more money for legal services.
Why It Increases
Several things can make the legal services budget go up:
More Lawsuits: If the town is involved in more lawsuits or complicated legal issues, costs will go up.
Higher Lawyer Fees: Legal costs can also increase if lawyer fees go up, whether because the town hires more experienced lawyers or because prices go up in general.
Unexpected Legal Problems: If the town suddenly faces a lawsuit or a new rule that needs immediate legal action, they might need to set aside more money.
Bad Behavior: If town officials act poorly, like being dishonest or corrupt, legal costs can increase. This includes costs for investigations, defending against lawsuits, and paying settlements.
Impact of Bad Behavior
Bad actions by town officials can really affect legal costs:
Investigations: If officials do something wrong, the town might be investigated, leading to higher legal fees.
Lawsuits: Misconduct can lead to lawsuits against the town, adding to legal costs.
Settlements: Settling lawsuits caused by bad behavior can be expensive, meaning the town might need more money for legal services.
How to Lower It Responsibly
To lower the legal services budget in a smart way, the town can do a few things:
Manage Risks: Putting rules in place to avoid legal problems can help keep future costs down. This includes following laws, being open about actions, and making sure officials act ethically.
Use In-House Lawyers: Using town lawyers instead of outside law firms can save money. Also, making deals with outside lawyers to keep fees fixed can help control costs.
Settle and Mediate: Encouraging settlements and mediation instead of long court cases can help manage and reduce legal costs.
Prevent Problems: Regularly checking that the town is following rules and avoiding risky practices can stop legal costs from getting out of control.
Ethical Leadership: Making sure all town officials act ethically and avoid any behavior that could cause legal issues is important for keeping costs down.
By carefully managing these factors, the town can control its legal services budget while still being prepared for any necessary legal actions.
