40:55D-53.1 - Interest on deposits with municipalities - New Jersey Statutes

40:55D-53.1. Interest on deposits with municipalities
    Whenever an amount of money in excess of $5,000.00 shall be deposited by an applicant with a municipality for professional services employed by the municipality to review applications for development, for municipal inspection fees in accordance with subsection h. of section 41 of P.L. 1975, c. 291 (C. 40:55D-53) or to satisfy the guarantee requirements of subsection a. of section 41 of P.L. 1975, c. 291 (C. 40:55D-53), the money, until repaid or applied to the purposes for which it is deposited, including the applicant's portion of the interest earned thereon, except as otherwise provided in this section, shall continue to be the property of the applicant and shall be held in trust by the municipality.  Money deposited shall be held in escrow.  The municipality receiving the money shall deposit it in a banking institution or savings and loan association in this State insured by an agency of the federal government, or in any other fund or depository approved for such deposits by the State, in an account bearing interest at the minimum rate currently paid by the institution or depository on time or savings deposits.  The municipality shall notify the applicant in writing of the name and address of the institution or depository in which the deposit is made and the amount of the deposit.  The municipality shall not be required to refund an amount of interest paid on a deposit which does not exceed $100.00 for the year.  If the amount of interest exceeds $100.00, that entire amount shall belong to the applicant and shall be refunded to him by the municipality annually or at the time the deposit is repaid or applied to the purposes for which it was deposited, as the case may be; except that the municipality may retain for administrative expenses a sum equivalent to no more than 33 1/3% of that entire amount, which shall be in lieu of all other administrative and custodial expenses.

   The provisions of this act shall apply only to that interest earned and paid on a deposit after the effective date of this act.

   L. 1985, c. 315, s. 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1985.