Where must a supplemental debt statement be filed before introducing a bond ordinance?

The correct answer is that a supplemental debt statement must be filed in the Municipal Clerk's Office before introducing a bond ordinance. This requirement is outlined in New Jersey's Local Bond Law, which stipulates that a local unit must prepare a supplemental debt statement whenever it intends to issue bonds or notes to ensure that all financial obligations are documented and that the total amount of debt is accurately reflected.

Filing the supplemental debt statement in the Municipal Clerk's Office is crucial because the Municipal Clerk acts as the custodian of the local government’s official documents and is responsible for maintaining the integrity of these records. This filing ensures that the local governing body, as well as the public, has access to the relevant financial information, which is essential for transparency and for making informed decisions about the municipality's financial situation.

Other locations, such as the County Clerk's Office, State Treasury Office, or Department of Local Government Services, do not serve the same role with respect to the local unit's bond ordinances. These offices may have their specific functions in government operations, but the Municipal Clerk's Office is where the initial and essential filings regarding bond ordinances take place.