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Council unanimously confirms new finance and law leadership and acting CFO amid budget shortfall

Jersey City Municipal Council · February 11, 2026

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Summary

The council confirmed appointments of William Vakera as finance director, Sarah M. Levine as corporation counsel, and William Vicura as acting chief financial officer in unanimous votes; several councilmembers acknowledged the city's reported $250M deficit and urged rapid work on fiscal stabilization.

The Jersey City Municipal Council approved a slate of administration appointments by unanimous roll-call votes: William Vakera as Director of the Department of Finance (resolution 26-046), Sarah M. Levine as Corporation Counsel and Director of the Department of Law (resolution 26-047), and William Vicura as Acting Chief Financial Officer (resolution 26-051).

Councilmembers offered congratulations and cautioned the new appointees about the scale of the city's fiscal challenges. Councilperson Navarro, referring to the city’s budget situation, told the newly seated finance official, "$254,000,000 budget crisis ... looking forward to working with you." Several members framed the appointments as necessary to begin work on financial transparency and recovery.

Officials did not take any immediate substantive budget votes tied to the appointments during the meeting, but asked that the new leadership coordinate with council and staff to provide briefings and documentation tied to claims, audits, and the larger financial review already underway. Councilmembers requested that administration provide supporting records and to engage with the newly formed investigative committee where relevant.