Paterson council approves $12.06 million in bills after debate over audits and retroactive pay

Paterson Municipal Council voted Tuesday to approve $12,057,745.71 in disbursements, a payroll and bills package the administration said included a payroll week and large insurance payments.

Councilwoman Ruby Davila presented the summary of disbursements, saying the total was "$12,057,745.71," and that payroll for the period was $5,601,758.29 while computer checks totaled $6,000,004.55, the bulk of which the clerk’s office said covered health insurance for current employees and retirees and a roughly $300,000 workers' compensation payment.

The vote mattered because several council members said the total sits alongside unresolved audit questions and long‑standing contract disputes. Councilman Luis Velez asked whether any of the payments included retroactive amounts tied to past labor settlements, asking, "is any retroactive payment for Lee's, BPW contract that was...retroactive payments on it or no?" (transcript). The CFO and administration replied there were no retroactive payments listed in the bills count before the council, and that some labor matters — notably a police contract dispute — remain in mediation.

Councilman Michael Jackson said he could not support the bills list without a public accounting of audit findings. Jackson referred to a recent audit and asked why the council had not publicly reviewed the audit company's findings. He told colleagues, "I will not be supporting this bill's list," and pressed for the finance committee to make the audit findings part of an open discussion at a future meeting.

Council President responded that the finance committee would review the audit and that the topic would appear in a future workshop and committee meeting; he urged members to attend the committee review. Several council members said the committee process would enable more detailed follow‑up before any budget adoption.

After discussion, the roll call recorded seven votes in favor, one no (Councilman Jackson) and one recusal (Councilwoman Cotton). The payment of bills was adopted.

The meeting also moved the larger consent agenda (items 7–46) by roll call, with the consent package adopted over a separate recorded vote. Several members removed specific items from the consent list for separate debate (notably item 15, a UEZ parks request); the consent agenda passed by recorded vote and was incorporated into the meeting's actions.

Why this matters: The payment package includes recurring payroll and insurance obligations that move city operations forward; at the same time, council members used the vote to press the administration for public answers on audit findings and long‑pending contract back‑pay, signaling the finance committee will be a venue for possible policy or oversight changes.

Votes at a glance - Payment of bills (summary of disbursements): $12,057,745.71 — Adopted (yes:7, no:1, recused:1).