Egg Harbor City council approves appointment of Jerry Barbario as city administrator after debate over process

Egg Harbor City —rom its March 27 meeting, the council approved Mayor Jim Penny's resolution to appoint Jerry Barbario as city administrator and superintendent of public works following a 6-3 roll call vote.

The appointment combined the city administrator role with oversight of the Department of Public Works and some code-related duties. Mayor Jim Penny told the council Barbario "comes with so many credentials" and has worked for the city as an arborist and in public works; she said the hire will help manage incoming grants and day-to-day operations.

The mayor and council supporters said Barbario had handled emergency operations during snowstorms, that they checked references and resumes, and that a contract includes an out clause should the arrangement not work out. Council President Kenir said the finance committee reviewed the circumstances quickly when Barbario indicated interest and recommended bringing the appointment to the full council for advice and consent.

Several council members objected to the speed and process of the appointment, arguing the public works committee and other committee chairs were not consulted and that prior finalists had been interviewed for a full-time DPW director. One council member urged tabling the measure, saying committee procedures had been bypassed and announcing, "I will vote no on this matter otherwise." That objection centered on transparency and whether civil-service posting requirements were followed for the DPW duties.

Jerry Barbario addressed the council and described his municipal experience: "It's taken me 22 years to become an extremely efficient employee in multiple positions," and recounted prior work in Hamilton and New York, noting past involvement in large capital projects and tree/arboreal programs.

The council took a roll call vote after discussion. The recorded votes were Clark: No; Dash: No; Doy: Yes; Galloway: Yes; Heist: No; Hessie: Yes; Kenir: Yes; Timbers: Yes; Wright: Yes. The motion passed and council welcomed Barbario as city administrator. Council members noted that the appointment is a mayoral appointment subject to council advice and consent and that the city will confirm civil service posting requirements for any duties that are governed by civil service rules.

What happens next: Barbario is slated to give notice to his current employer and assume the combined duties; council said a contract contains provisions allowing either party to end the arrangement if it does not meet expectations.

The council proceeded with other agenda items after the vote.