New Jersey Division of Local Government Services Local Finance Notice 2026-19
LFN 2026-19: 2027 Fire District Budget and Elections Guidance
Issued October 26, 2026, LFN 2026-19 sets out the CY2027 fire district budget process — FAST submission mechanics, who may submit, commissioner compensation approval, capital and levy cap rules, and several certifications that will stop a budget from being approved.
Budget Submission: FAST Only, Division Workbook Only
CY2027 budgets are submitted through FAST using the Division’s standardized Excel workbook. User-generated workbooks and paper copies will not be accepted. Data entry is restricted to the yellow and grey highlighted cells — districts may not alter formulas or override protection — and supplemental detail such as vehicle lists and appropriation breakdowns is entered in the workbook, not uploaded separately.
Files must be saved as <<municode>>_introbudget_2027 and <<municode>>_adoptbudget_2027. The Introduced Budget and CNC-3 are required for every district, and districts compensating commissioners must also upload both certified compensation resolutions.
Uploading is not submitting. Users must go to the “Submit for Review” tab and click “Submit.” Introduced budgets are due at least 60 days before February 20, 2027, and the Division strongly recommends filing well ahead of that date.
