Commentary on 2012 Budget

The more one ponders the budget situation, the more questions come to mind.

For example, if City Administrator Eric Berry spent two months working for the state Department of Community Affairs between the time he left Trenton and when he came to Plainfield, shouldn't he be well aware of budget reporting requirements for municipalities? He got here at the end of November, which means he was on hand for the 2012 budget process from the beginning of  the year. One of the duties of a city administrator as listed in the city charter is to "assist the mayor to prepare an annual current expense budget and an annual capital budget for consideration by the Council."

Then again, could the very warm welcome of DCA Director Thomas Neff make him think he might enjoy some special largesse? It was already rumored in September 2011 that he was on his way to Plainfield, but Neff is quoted as saying, "We'll keep him as long as he wants to stay."

So one question is whether Berry embraced the budgetary duties or left it to others, figuring he had a friend at the DCA.

Anyone who has seen the introduced budget document that the city sends the state for approval can tell you that the front page of the Municipal Data Sheet contains names of numerous officials who have presumably looked over the document. Plainfield does not have its Municipal Data Sheet online, but here is what South Plainfield's document looks like. Note that the chief financial officer, Glenn Cullen, is the same person who was hired by the city in February to serve as part-time CFO while the city searched for a permanent one.

At the time, Councilman William Reid questioned Finance Director Al Restaino whether the state approved of having someone as part-time CFO who held that title plus another one full-time in South Plainfield. Restaino indicated that state officials had OK'd the plan through Berry. See post here.

Budget introduction took place on March 12. The document was completed just that afternoon, according to auditor Bob Swisher. But at least introduction meant the governing body could then begin deliberations.

It was not until May 24 that the council was informed that the state uncovered numerous errors and omissions in the budget - something the state told the administration more than a month earlier. With the help of budget consultant David Kochel, the governing body fixed the errors and amendments were passed on June 6. It was not until the day of the agenda-fixing session for the meeting at which budget passage was expected that Berry sent three letters to the DCA blasting the council's amendments.

Council President Mapp says he has a state go-ahead to hold the required public hearing and vote on final passage Monday.

Meanwhile, given Berry's taciturn demeanor since November, the barrage of verbiage in the three letters has some observers questioning who authored them. Berry claims ownership.

Regardless of the outcome Monday, Berry's call for the state to intercede in the city's budget process at this point bodes ill for future collegiality between the council and administration. Kochel, as a consultant with no political baggage, has been a leavening agent in the budget process, but what will happen when he leaves? A new CFO has been nominated, but will she be able to navigate the choppy waters here if hired?

Those who pay attention to city government desperately want to see an increase in stability and accountability, not another wave of finger-pointing and casting blame. If the state is satisfied that the 2012 budget process can conclude, it will be up to all to ensure a much better approach in 2013, not just on getting the numbers right but also on cooperating from the very start.

--Bernice