§ 52:27BBB-24 — Hiring of nonpartisan, professional staff.

24. The governing body, in conjunction with the Eagleton Institute of Politics and the Rand Institute at Rutgers, The State University, shall hire a non-partisan, professional staff to assist the governing body in the execution of its governmental functions and shall provide the staff with the computer hardware and software necessary to perform their assigned tasks. Computer equipment shall be provided at State expense. The staff members shall possess expertise in areas of municipal government operation, including but not limited to, municipal law, planning, social services, public health, public finance and public works administration. Candidates for appointment shall possess a college degree which is relevant to the position which may include, but not be limited to, business, law and public administration. Although a candidate may possess a law degree, staff members shall serve as subject matter experts to the governing body and shall not serve as legal counsel. The Eagleton Institute and the Rand Institute shall also provide comprehensive training for members of the governing body and the non-partisan, professional staff to better enable them to discharge their representative functions in the public interest. The State shall adequately compensate the Eagleton Institute and the Rand Institute for their services, subject to appropriation. L.2002,c.43,s.24.