The Legislature finds that the constraints placed upon local government by P.L.1976, c. 68 (C. 40A:4-45.1 et seq.) are successfully accomplishing their purpose of controlling the growth in the cost of local government.

The Legislature finds, however, that a uniform fixed percentage limitation on increases in expenditures has not adequately reflected either national economic trends or the differing needs of the various local governments of the State. As a result, local governments have been unevenly affected in their ability to provide necessary services to their residents.

The Legislature, therefore, determines that P.L.1976, c. 68 requires adjustment to provide for an annually variable percentage limitation which more accurately reflects annual nationwide increases in the basic costs of governmental operations, to provide a mechanism whereby local officials and taxpayers can examine the particular needs of their community and determine whether or not the use of this limitation more nearly addresses those needs, and to modify several features of the law which have proven to be arbitrary or to result in unintended effects on the structure of local government.

L.1983, c. 49, s. 1, eff. Jan. 31, 1983.