Council pauses talks with school board after Passaic Valley review requested on $735,000 sewer anomaly

A Sept. 16 council discussion over a late‑filed item about a $735,000 sewer billing anomaly for the Clifton Board of Education ended with a unanimous decision to hold further negotiations until Passaic Valley Water Commission supplies corrected figures.

What happened: Council members reviewed email correspondence and a staff memo about a previously reported discrepancy in how sewer charges were calculated and billed to several exempt accounts. Multiple speakers — including city manager staff and legal counsel — told the governing body they had shared account readings with PVWC and asked the utility to reconcile the figures.

Key points
- City did not bill: City officials stated to council that the city has not sent any invoices or demands to the school board related to this matter; an invoice with an anomaly was presented to Passaic Valley for review, city staff said.
- Passaic Valley review underway: Council members were told PVWC had responded that its review was still in progress and that corrected documents were expected soon. Several council members instructed staff to defer negotiations until that review is complete.
- Fiscal implications: Council members and administration noted that the disputed amount affects the city’s rate study and the self‑liquidating sewer utility forecast; not invoicing exempt entities could reduce projected sewer revenue and affect next year’s budget assumptions.

Next steps: Council voted to hold action on the item until the city receives the PVWC analysis and corrected invoices; staff will follow up with the tax collector and PVWC and report back to council.

Ending: Council members asked for written confirmation from PVWC and directed the administration to present the corrected figures to the council before any negotiation or billing action.