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Council questioned overlap and plans as administration nominates finance and law department leaders

Jersey City Municipal Council Caucus · February 11, 2026

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Summary

Council reviewed nominations for the director of finance (William Vicura) and corporation counsel (Sarah M. Levine). Vicura emphasized controls, compliance and outreach for budget recovery; Levine outlined law department staffing shortfalls, missed deadlines, and a plan to increase in‑house capacity while managing conflicts when council and administration interests diverge.

Council considered two senior nominations: William Vicura for director of finance and acting chief financial officer, and Sarah M. Levine for corporation counsel.

Vicura described priorities including establishing controls and improved financial reporting, managing the city’s balance sheet and debt, working with county and state partners and with academic partners to explore budget recovery options, and considering staff and consultant use to bridge capacity needs during an urgent fiscal crisis. Councilmembers asked about overlapping duties between the director and CFO roles and whether the administration intended to pay for both roles; administration representatives said Vicura would not be paid twice for the same functions and that consultants would be used where necessary.

Sarah M. Levine outlined the law department’s five core teams (governance, transactional, tax appeals, labor & employment, litigation), noted the department currently has about ten full‑time attorneys handling hundreds of matters and identified missing systems (case‑management software) and unfilled positions as causes of missed opportunities. Levine said she intends to staff up the department over time, bring more work in‑house where cost‑effective, and provide equal legal advice to mayor, council and departments while adhering to ethics. Councilmembers asked about oversight, bills from outside counsel and operational transparency; Levine committed to presenting a staffing and operational plan to the council.