ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.- In today's economy, with government budgets stretched to their limits, private developers and public agencies are increasingly partnering to get critical projects completed. Stuart Berger, CPA, a Principal in the Real Estate Industry Service Group at Sax Macy Fromm & Co., PC (SMF), will join a panel of ULI Northern New Jersey and New Jersey Planning Officials members to discuss public/private partnerships and their impact in the current development environment. The discussion session, slated for Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at 10 a.m., is part of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities' 98th Annual Conference at the Atlantic City Convention Center.
Berger will specifically focus on payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) programs, "and how they play into development in New Jersey. There are important implications for these programs, under which municipalities enter into agreements with developers to take a PILOT for a fixed period of time," he said.
In the discussion, moderated by Jay Rhatican of Wolff & Samson, other panelists will focus on how public/private partnerships have become a common necessity for doing business in New Jersey, whether it is in the form of pure joint ventures and partnerships, or public financial incentives or assistance programs. The panel will explore the means available to public agencies and private firms to coordinate such efforts, and examine successful case studies.
Berger, who has been with SMF for more than 25 years, is widely acknowledged for providing expert accounting, tax, and consulting services. His clients include real estate developers, owners, and operators. Berger is a Certified Public Accountant and a graduate of Syracuse University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.
Based in Clifton, N.J., SMF provides best-in-class accounting, auditing and tax services. In addition to specializing in real estate, the firm's service groups include construction, healthcare, manufacturing and distribution, financial services and professional services. Recently named among the nation's Top 200 Accounting Firms and Top 200 Fastest Growing Firms, SMF will be merging with Albany, N.Y.-based Bollam, Sheedy, Torani, & Co. LLP (BST), effective January 1, 2014. The new company, to be named SaxBST, will rank among the "Top 100" firms nationally, with more than $45 million in combined annual billings.
For more information about the New Jersey State League of Municipalities' 98th Annual Conference or to register, visit http://www.njslom.org/.