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Paterson council approves $17.2 million in bills amid heated debate over pay increases
Summary
The Municipal Council approved $17,214,565.58 in payments, including roughly $5.54 million for payroll, after extended debate about recent employee pay increases and personnel practices. The payment passed 8–1; Councilman Michael Jackson voted no.
The Paterson Municipal Council voted 8–1 on March 11 to approve payment of bills totaling $17,214,565.58, with approximately $5,539,465.50 identified in committee discussion as payroll. The motion to approve payment of bills was moved by Councilwoman Mims and seconded by Councilwoman Davila.
The vote followed an extended and frequently contentious public exchange during which Councilman Michael Jackson challenged the council and administration to explain recent pay increases for specific employees. Jackson pressed for details about a personnel director’s pay adjustments and said the public had a right to know whether raises were justified and whether hiring and payroll outsourcing decisions had followed rules. Jackson said he would vote no as a protest against what he characterized as a lack of accountability; he recorded his vote as “no.”
Council members who supported the bills stressed that the list overwhelmingly covers regular payments, including wages for active and retired employees, Medicaid bills and other routine items. Councilwoman Mims, chairing the finance committee discussion, said the committee met and reviewed line items in detail and emphasized the city’s obligation to pay its workers on schedule. “Our employee, there's over $5,000,000 for payroll, only on payroll,” she said during committee remarks.
Several council members said personnel questions raised during the roll call should be taken up in committee rather than delaying payroll payments. Other council members urged residents with concerns to request details from the administration or attend committee meetings for fuller explanations.
The clerk recorded the payment-of-bills vote as adopted with eight votes in favor and one opposed; the workshop record shows the tally as 8–1 and the president announced the list adopted.
Ending: The council approved the payment list and moved on to other agenda items. Councilman Jackson and others continued to press for committee follow-up and answers about pay increases and personnel decisions; the council did not adopt any immediate personnel disciplinary actions during the session.
