*Note: I wanted to use "hijinks" but various references that I consulted in the wee hours had it as "high jinks." Since Dan picked my favored spelling, I am changing it.
Friday's special meeting initially was called to deal with a disputed resolution to appropriate funds to operate the city past March 31. But in a legal notice for the meeting, another resolution - giving permission for a religious procession - was added.
Now there is another change. The governing body will also vote on a resolution rescinding one just passed on March 20, namely:
RESOLUTION RESCINDING R 095-14 CANCELLING UNEXPENDED BALANCES OF THE GENERAL CAPITAL FUND.
During a budget presentation preceding the council meeting Thursday, Finance Director Ron West mentioned $655,000 in unspent capital funds as part of a strategy to increase revenues. Other strategies included a review of all "payment in lieu of taxes" or PILOT agreements, enhancing the tax collection rate and increasing the number of grants. The grants alone brought in $2.8 million last year to help the bottom line.
If the capital balances had been intended to revert to the general fund and now they will not, it would take a significant chunk out of the budget. Somebody needs to explain Friday night exactly what the proposed action means to the budget.
The city now has three financial minds at work in the administration. Mayor Adrian O. Mapp attained state certification as a chief financial officer and serves in that capacity in another municipality. Ron West previously served as the city's finance director and knows the city's fiscal issues well. The administration is phasing out the part-time chief financial officer that the city has relied on for five to seven hours per week and will have a full-time CFO for the first time since 2007 in the person of Ulrich "Al" Steinberg, whom Mapp praised highly for his experience. At the Jan. 27 meeting where Steinberg's hiring was approved unanimously, the audience broke into applause.
So the 2014 budget as presented by the administration should be well thought out. The council voted Thursday to introduce the budget, meaning it has passed from the administration to the governing body for review and amendment before final passage. The council now has a budget consultant from a firm hired Thursday as well.
With all this talent on the case, one hopes the city will not see anything like the 2012 budget fiasco in which a state review of the figures revealed a $1.5 million shortfall. There was more intrigue later when Eric Berry, the city administrator at the time, tried to get the state to wrest away the council's powers over the introduced budget. After the budget passed in June and the dust settled, the murkiness remained when the former finance director was unable to state the tax rate when asked at a council meeting.
Can there be a new model of collegiality between the two branches in the new administration? The focus has to be on the good of the city at large and its fiscal health. Friday's meeting may set a tone for the rest of the budget process and even for the future of the city. Resident Jean Black summed it up Thursday with her comment, "When are you all gonna agree and get the town working?"
--Bernice
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I wonder if the City Council is going to request a budget line item to attend Mapp's Celebration Ball. The invites are out a mere $500 a plate for those VIP types and just $300 a plate for the common man. This social event of the year is black tie optional and is being held at the Stone House up in Warren. I guess the Mapp's COS couldn't find anything that met his standards here in Plainfield so off to the Stone House, nothing like supporting the local economy. In case one does not know the Stone House is owned by Frank Cretella of Landmark Development who's got the lock on almost all of the downtown development here in Plainfield. I bet the COS negotiated a special rate after all he sits on the Planning Board now.
ReplyDeleteHow do you know the COS did not advocate for having the ball in Plainfield? Do you know that for a fact?
DeleteWhere would you suggest to have the ball? Obviously you knew about the ball. When it was cancelled why didn't you go to the COS or the Mayor, and suggest a place in Plainfield?
Or, are you just the regular Plainfielder who complains, finds bad in everything, and makes no attempt to make this city better?
Unbelievable,I guess those common folk who worked on his campaign will not be attending the Ball. It is now midnight time to give the glass slipper back.
ReplyDeleteThere was a people's party that cost you zip. I have never lived in a place such as this where people felt so entitled.
DeleteYou feel entitled to have a job in Plainfield, regardless of qualifications, you feel entitled to not pay your bills because of whatever lame reason you come up with, and now you feel entitled to go to a private event.
The people had food, fun, and dance on the day of the inauguration. Are you expecting to be invited to fundraisers and not pay?
It is now midnight, time to realize the possibilities without having the ugly step-sisters around.
No anonymous 9:24 am, that is Rob and Bob's job. They need to both go away.Two guys that must have been bullied growing up now that want to get their revenge back on people in leadership specifically AA.
ReplyDeleteyeah... uh... Ok.. Newsflash... BEYOND popular with all groups / cliques growing up..so you are soooooooooo wrong there. Class officer all 4yrs of high school, varsity sports letters, yearbook committee, extra curricular activities, prom court, parties...VERY VERY POPULAR. Which I am sure is just burning your narrow little mind to bits.
DeleteIf you'd like to host a fundraiser for Adrian Mapp over at Red Tower or Kennedy Fried Chicken I'm sure he'd be happy to take the cash.