BettyLou DeCroce Named Deputy Commissioner at DCA

TRENTON - New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Acting Commissioner Lori Grifa today announced the appointment of BettyLou DeCroce as DCA's Deputy Commissioner. She begins her duties immediately.

"BettyLou brings an abundance of local government knowledge and experience to the Department of Community Affairs," Acting Commissioner Grifa said. "Her local perspective and commitment to shared services will help the DCA as we work with municipalities around the state to curb property tax increases by finding creative ways to run government efficiently and cost effectively."

As Deputy Commissioner, Ms. DeCroce will handle a broad range of responsibilities focused on local government services, the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), local government ethics and shared services.

"I look forward to working with Governor Christie and Acting Commissioner Grifa to bring change to the Department and help municipalities make life more affordable for their residents," said Deputy Commissioner DeCroce. "I share their commitment to fiscal oversight and accountability at every level of government."

Prior to becoming Deputy Commissioner, Ms. DeCroce served as the Registered Municipal Clerk in Roxbury, NJ, and clerk to the township council. She oversaw township licenses, tort claims, local elections, redistricting initiatives, OPRA requests, general and land use ordinances, and ethics and municipal budget issues, among other responsibilities. From 1990 to 2003, she was the Deputy Manager of Roxbury, helping to supervise the township's approximately 230 employees and day-to-day operations. Ms. DeCroce also served as a Commissioner and Chairwoman of the Morris County Joint Insurance Fund, which provides liability and workman's compensation insurance for 40 municipalities, and a Commissioner of the North Jersey Health Insurance Fund.

The Department of Community Affairs offers a wide range of programs and services that respond to issues of public concern including fire and building safety, housing production, community planning and development, and local government management and finance. The DCA's programs and services are provided through its divisions of Codes and Standards, Fire Safety, Housing and Community Resources, Local Government Services, and Women, as well as the Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development and the Office of Smart Growth. DCA is also closely affiliated with the Council on Affordable Housing, Government Records Council, New Jersey Historic Trust, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and New Jersey Redevelopment Authority.

For more information regarding the DCA, please log on to http://www.nj.gov/dca/. 

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