Clifton council advances budget items, approves salary-study contract after contentious debate

The Clifton Municipal Council on Jan. 8 voted on a series of budget and procurement items, approved a $42,850 contract for a municipal salary study after heated debate, and moved forward an ordinance to expand the maximum investigation period for Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license transfers.

The council approved a package of routine budget transfers, vendor contracts and ordinance readings and carried separate votes to award a salary-study contract to Gallagher and to authorize purchase of a replacement fire-department pickup for the training officer. Council members spent the meeting debating the timing of terminal-leave payouts included in the annual financial resolution and scrutinizing differences between competing bidder proposals for the salary study.

Why it matters: Several of the measures affect Clifton’s 2025 budget or recurring operating costs. The salary study will be used to recommend pay ranges and potentially inform multiple future employment contracts and budget decisions. The ABC ordinance change lengthens the time the Police Department may take to investigate license transfers, a change the police and some council members said reflects local workload and investigative needs.

Most important votes and outcomes (Votes at a glance) - Award Gallagher Group contract for a comprehensive salary/classification study — Approved 4–3; Gallagher bid $42,850, lower competitor…