Who is designated as the custodian of government records in a municipality?

The Municipal Clerk is designated as the custodian of government records in a municipality due to their role in managing local government operations and ensuring compliance with various regulations. This position involves overseeing the organization, maintenance, and accessibility of official municipal records, such as meeting minutes, ordinances, and resolutions, thereby supporting transparency and public access to information.

The Municipal Clerk serves as a key figure who ensures that records are kept in accordance with the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) in New Jersey, which emphasizes the public's right to access government records. This responsibility requires knowledge of administrative procedures and legal requirements related to record-keeping, making the Municipal Clerk the most appropriate choice for this role.

Other roles, like the Mayor, City Council members, and officers of public agencies, may have various functions and responsibilities related to governance and policy-making but are not specifically tasked with the custodial duties regarding government records, leaving that responsibility to the Municipal Clerk.