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Paterson council presses administration for line‑item detail on recurring vendor contracts amid budget shortfall
Summary
Council members pressed administration finance staff over a recurring resolution approving vendor contracts for various departments, seeking detailed breakdowns for large not‑to‑exceed amounts tied to the FY2026 budget. The discussion highlighted concerns about recent reported overexpenditures and the fiscal impact of planned borrowing.
The Paterson Municipal Council spent the bulk of its Nov. 6 workshop probing a recurring resolution authorizing contracts with state‑approved vendors for city departments, pressing staff for a line‑by‑line accounting ahead of next week’s final budget adoption.
The resolution (item 6) authorizes departments to purchase goods and services from vendors on state contracts at not‑to‑exceed amounts. Purchasing agent Mister Ceballos said the approach streamlines procurement for multiple departments, ensuring vendors with valid state contracts are available when needed. “We prepare the contract ... the department had the 1 to call for the service,” he said.
Councilman Michael Jackson led sustained questioning about…
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