Fiscal Governance a Key Issue

Now that the temperature is a bit more amenable to serious thinking, this writer took a fast spin through the 129 posts since Plaintalker II was launched on May 2. A dominant theme is the filling of two cabinet posts, a chief finance officer and a director for the Department of Administration, Finance, Health & Social Services.

Deemed an urgent matter in an October letter to the mayor and governing body from the state Division of Local Government Services, the issue of appointing a CFO has dragged on through three 90-day extensions. Meanwhile, the governing body has pressed the administration harder to take action, most recently with a proposed resolution to seek a state-appointed CFO.

On July 19, the third deadline for action, the City Council was prepared to force the issue through legislation. But the administration countered by saying a candidate had been identified, though giving no details. Similarly, the administration said an offer would be made to a candidate for the directorship of AFH&SS.

Now there will be a special meeting Wednesday at which the promises will either be revealed as pie in the sky or an actual good-faith effort to comply with the governing body's ardent request to see these two vital cabinet posts filled.

Plaintalker's crystal ball sees a Monmouth County Democrat emerging as the CFO candidate, but alas, no verification that the candidate is a certified CFO. The director's post was supposed to be offered to a city resident,

Given the passion of a council majority to see these two posts filled with qualified people, it is unlikely that the governing body will allow itself be put in a trick bag by the administration Wednesday by acceding to conditions on the appointment of the CFO. Candidates are slated to be interviewed by the council in closed session before the special meeting.

The administration has pointed to a dearth of certified CFOs as well as the council's earlier rejection of a candidate as reasons why the situation has gone on so long. Should the council find the CFO candidate wanting on Wednesday, the dilemma for the council will be whether to be blamed for yet more delay or to stick to its guns and take nothing less than a highly capable person.

The department head should be an easier decision, if the candidate has agreed to the administration's offer. In that case, the candidate must be assured of being able to do the job without interference from the mayor. Much of the recent discussion at council meetings has consisted of the city administrator and corporation counsel speaking for the mayor in opposition to the governing body's concerns. Council President Annie McWilliams held her ground on July 19 and has since explained the goals of seven items in what she calls the Fiscal Accountability, Integrity and Responsibility (FAIR) legislative package.

It may well be that citizens will not get to file into the City Hall Library at the dot of 8 p.m. Wednesday for the special meeting. If the closed session goes past the appointed hour, so be it. Better to have all questions answered and issues aired on these important appointments, so that advice and consent can hopefully take place at the special meeting.

If not, state intercession is the next logical step.

--Bernice Paglia