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Paterson council approves $8.72M in payments despite audit criticism; one councilor votes no
Summary
Council approved weekly disbursements, $8,719,544.12, after debate about audit findings and federal funds reporting. Councilman Jackson opposed the payment citing audit shortcomings and reporting failures; other members said paying employees and vendors is necessary.
At the workshop session the council approved payment of bills totaling $8,719,544.12, including roughly $5.4 million in payroll, after a roll-call vote that recorded 4 in favor and 1 opposed.
Councilman Koligga moved the payment and councilman Mint seconded. Councilman Jackson cast the lone no vote, citing recent state audit and Department of Community Affairs (DCA) monitoring documents that, he said, show multiple reporting failures and inadequate oversight. Jackson said he could not in good conscience support the disbursement while the city’s reporting remained deficient.
Councilwoman Mims and other council members argued that the vote to pay does not excuse oversight issues but is necessary to ensure employees and vendors are paid. Mims emphasized that payroll and core services must continue and that many items on the payment list related to essential services and nonprofit grants.
The clerk recorded the votes and announced the payment had been adopted. Several speakers and members used the payment discussion to renew broader concerns about audit findings, payroll processing, and the city’s internal controls; those concerns appeared again during public comment later in the meeting.
Formal meeting minutes list the motion as moved by Councilman Koligga and seconded by Councilman Mint, with the clerk recording the final tally as 4 yes, 1 no.
