The Jersey City Council called for more transparency from the Public Safety Department at yesterday’s caucus as they prepare to vote on a preliminary $724,219,250.40 budget with a 1.93 percent tax increase on Wednesday.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
“I’m here to introduce this year’s 2024 municipal budget and other finance matters. We are introducing an approximately $724 million budget for this upcoming fiscal year with a modest increase of 1.93 (percent),” Jersey City Finance Director Carmen Gandulla explained.
“We had budget hearings last year for the departments. We will still have a hearing on the budget. Today is just for introduction purposes.”
Gandulla argued performance and operations are not the roles of the finance department and that questions of that nature should be directed to the department heads, as well as that the the budget hearing will be June 12th.
Regarding a separate but related ordinance, Assistant Director of Finance Kyle Greaves said establishing a cap bank is a standard practice.
“Every year, there is an appropriation cap on what we can budget for, departmental spending and certain things in the cap. In the event we need to exceed that number, we do the work with the council. Anything that we come under the cap, we can bank for next year.”
Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore asked Public Safety Director James Shea about the 911 dispatch study the council approved 13 months ago. The mayor’s office touted allocating funds to hire 30 new dispatchers in this budget.
The Department of Public Safety would still receive the most municipal funding, $214,421,922 or just under 30 percent of the budget, with adjustments made to pay for the new 911 dispatchers ($6,731,557 in salaries and wages versus $5,877,573 last year).
Shea said a 911 study has been completed.
“[Jersey City Police Director] Tawana [Moody] is already moving forward on suggestions from that, raising salaries for some of our people, increasing supervisors, cross training, etc. I’ll have her reach out,” he replied.
“Back in January, I asked your office to give me information. I do not have to go to the business administrator. I want the questions answered. Over the weekend, I spoke to many of the cops. You have 50 cops that want to leave this job! 911 is a mess. Parking Authority is a mess,” shouted Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano.
“I was a cop here for 36 years, and I have never ever heard of all these complaints!”
He also insisted the administration is trying to ruin the 911 emergency call center so they can privatize it.
Business Administrator John Metro said he would arrange a meeting with himself and the Ward C police captain.
“I’ve been asking since January,” Boggiano repeated.
“I’ll work with your office to set up a meeting and for some of the data points you requested,” Metro replied.
“Ok, Pam, make sure to schedule a meeting,” Council President Joyce Watterman interjected.
Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey had questions about off-duty police.
“It’s been a month-and-a-half, maybe almost two. I still have no response. I appreciate you worked something out for parades this year,” she noted.
“I think it’s better if I share a draft ordinance,” Metro replied.
“We sent it all to the police director. We’re sending but not getting a response. This is something we’ve been waiting for a long time,” Watterman said.
Gilmore also expressed frustration about getting information from the Public Safety Department.
“I’m just perplexed we can’t get answers to simple questions. People have been reaching out. I’ve given up reaching out to public safety. You’re just non-responsive as a whole,” Gilmore declared.
“How hard is it to answer a question? Just answer the question! When constituents come to us, we have to be able to provide the answers to questions. Then if we can’t do it, then we look incompetent, and it looks like we’re not doing our job.”
Watterman said that there is a lot of frustration to go around and was hopeful they would get a response within 24 hours.
“Just continue to go through the business administrator,” Shea replied.
“That’s what I did the first time. The second time I copied you and Director Moody and I still heard nothing. The system is not working. We need to figure a better system,” Prinz-Arey declared.
“We’ll come up with a plan moving forward,” Metro said.
