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 transparency and fiscal controls. Jackson asked officials to identify how much the city spends on fuel, Verizon phone services and Dell computer purchases, and to provide department‑level consumption reports. “We’re going to be expecting this council to be approving a loan for 65 plus million dollars, and we’re not being responsible and accountable for each individual line item,” Jackson said. He asked for past‑year usage and invoices so the council can compare budgeted not‑to‑exceed amounts with actual expenditures.

CFO’s response: The finance director and the purchasing agent said the amounts are based on last year’s consumption, and that departments submit invoice‑level documentation when services are requested. The CFO also said the contracts are prepared as annual not‑to‑exceed authorizations to expedite departmental purchasing and that a detailed breakout is available on request. “Once again, the amounts are not‑to‑exceed based on last year consumption,” the CFO said.

Council requests and follow‑ups: Council members insisted on more granular pre‑voting reports. Jackson and others asked that, before the council adopts the budget, staff provide (a) the total aggregate for item 6, (b) last‑year actuals for each vendor line, and (c) department‑level fuel and telecom consumption reports. Council President Mims directed staff to circulate those documents in advance of the final budget vote next week.

Outcome: The workshop did not adopt the resolution that night. The council continued the item to regular session and directed administration staff to supply the requested breakdowns so members can review the underlying invoices and department reports before the Nov. 13 budget adoption vote.

Why it matters: The debate came amid reporting of recent overexpenditures. Council members said they are being asked to approve larger borrowing and budget adjustments without sufficient prior budget hearings or department‑level expenditure summaries. The council requested the more detailed documentation to inform its next vote and to ensure the $65 million borrowing plan and other short‑term measures are supported by verifiable spending records.