Newark finance committee votes 5-0 to enter executive session after discussing $50,000 appropriation request

The Newark City Council Finance Committee met Oct. 20 and, after reviewing current fund balances and a request for a $50,000 appropriation, voted 5-0 to enter an executive session to discuss sensitive matters.

Committee members were told the unappropriated balance in the general fund stands at $244,169 and the budget stabilization fund balance is $581,808. The agenda included a request for a $50,000 appropriation.

Committee members noted the department’s budget previously was reduced by $30,000 before the current fiscal year, leaving roughly $4,800 remaining in the affected account. Committee discussion indicated at least one ongoing investigation and that other departments have called on outside counsel, generating legal bills that would increase demand on available funds. Committee members also said negotiations are under way with the HASME union; staff said any leftover money at year-end would be returned to the unappropriated fund.

Because some questions related to those matters were described as sensitive, a motion to go into executive session was made by Council Member Barker and seconded by Halter. The committee adopted the motion on a roll-call vote reported in the meeting as 5-0. During roll call the transcript records affirmative votes from members identified as Parker, Toss, Chiu and Hauser; the meeting record shows the motion carried unanimously.

No formal appropriation vote or other public decision on the $50,000 request was recorded before the committee moved to the closed session. The committee did not announce any further public action before entering executive session.

The meeting opened at 5:45 p.m.; the public portion of the agenda consisted of the budget review and the appropriation request before the committee recessed into closed session to discuss matters described as sensitive.