More On Budget Transfers

The list above is where budget transfers were going before Resolution 373-13 went off the rails Tuesday
(Click to enlarge). S&W is Salary & Wages, OE is Other Expenses.

The only items approved were Recreation, Recreational Seasonal and an addition of $15,000 for Other Expenses, totaling $51,000, to be taken from the Worker's Compensation line.

The $131,091.38 for the Police Division was initially the most controversial. Councilman Cory Storch called it "really inappropriate" and said it was for lame duck appointments and was not "good government." He said it would impact city finances for years to come. Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig was not present to explain, nor was acting City Administrator Al Restaino, who is also the director of Administration & Finance.

Councilwoman Tracey Brown said she had spoken to Restaino and was told taxpayers will not be compromised.

Councilman and Mayor-elect Adrian Mapp objected to the PMUA transfer of $163,085.23. Corporation Counsel David Minchello explained that the city had FEMA funds that PMUA could not directly receive. He said FEMA gave the funds to the city to give to PMUA.

"You cannot transfer a grant," said Mapp, who is a certified chief financial officer in another municipality.

Mapp said if if the money was not received at the time the budget was adopted, all grants were swept into a grant fund.

Minchello said OEM Coordinator Sheldon Green said it was considered a reimbursement, not a grant. But Mapp said there are only three ways the city, saying it was a grant. Green later explained that PMUA had helped the city clean up after the Oct. 29, 2012 storm and was in fact a "vendor" of services to help clean the streets.

The shift to concern about Recreation costs began after public comment from a parent who alluded to a "misappropriation," but said there were misappropriations in everything. She said she knew all the staff in Recreation and that their children took part along with hers in the programs.

"We need staff that cares," she said in support.

Council President Bridget Rivers said in a comment to the administration that she was appalled to be just hearing that the Recreation program was being shut down.

"I think it's so unfair," she said. "I believe you guys should have contacted us. It's embarrassing."

Later, coach Lenny Cathcart spoke on Recreation as reported here.

When the transfers came up in the regular meeting that began around 10 p.m., Police Officer Nuno Carvalho spoke in public comment about the budget transfers for police, saying in 2003 police staff was cut and crime spiked. He said if the promotions were funded, the council should make sure it had funding for new officers.

Later, Councilwoman Rebecca Williams sought to amend the resolution by taking out the police item. But the vote failed.

Mapp spoke about the police funding, saying he intended to treat everyone who works for the city of Plainfield with respect. He said police will be treated fairly and get what they justly deserve, but called the promotions "disturbing" and spoke of their future negative impact on budgets.

However, concerns about the police and PMUA items became irrelevant when the focus shifted solely to Recreation.

In retrospect, this episode of legislation through drama was very odd. I'm told the meeting is up on PCTV already, so viewers can judge for themselves. No one was present to stick up for other categories of transfers, such as crossing guards.If that budget line falls short, guards will not be paid and police will have to fill in at a much higher cost. The largest transfer would have been $592,750 for Health Benefits. No one spoke in favor of saving that line.

The council can still make transfers in December or, if necessary, could hold a special meeting to deal with the issue. The next agenda-fixing session is Dec. 2 and the regular meeting is Dec. 9.

--Bernice

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