Paterson City Council rescinds and reintroduces 2026 budget
State review flagged spending-limit and revenue issues, sending the 2026 plan back through introduction as fourth-quarter tax bills approach.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — council revises the 2026 budget introduction, application a2025-028 (xi bang zen), 1034, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The business administrator said meeting the spending cap without allowances would require cuts to police, fire and public works expenses.
Paterson's 2026 budget needed a second trip through City Council. The Paterson City Council rescinded its August 11 introduction after state technical review raised issues with spending limits and transitional-aid assumptions. Members then authorized reading and introduction of a corrected calendar-year budget. The business administrator said the city had to revise how it accounted for aid in its 2025 financial statement and carry the resulting unrealized revenue into the budget.
The business administrator said strict compliance with the appropriations cap would require cutting 20 million in expenses, including salaries, benefits and obligations for police, fire and public works. The Paterson City Council approved an application to the Local Finance Board and a cap bank to address the limit. The business administrator said the 2024 audit was still underway and any overexpenditures it identified would have to be accounted for.
Michael Jackson criticized the earlier budget introduction and questioned whether late additions to the agenda gave members proper notice. Council President Dr. Lilisa Mimms said revised agendas are permitted and the updated agenda had been posted. Other Paterson City Council members discussed the timing of the transitional-aid award and the switch from a fiscal-year to a calendar-year budget. The rescission passed by roll call; the business administrator said the city needed to send fourth-quarter tax bills by the end of November.
Application A2025-028 (Xi Bang Zen), 1034 Main Street (Block 6902, Lot 11) — Mixed-Use Addition (Approved)
The Paterson Planning Board unanimously approved a second story above the Chinese restaurant at 1034 Main Street. The addition will create two apartments—a one-bedroom unit and a studio—while the restaurant stays on the first floor. The plans include a separate entrance and interior staircase for residents.
The addition would stay within the building's existing footprint. It still needed variances: the plans provide no off-street parking where eight spaces are required, and the proposed rear setback is 6.5 feet where 25 feet are required. Applicant representatives said the apartments were intended mainly for restaurant employees, though future occupants might differ.
During public comment, callers raised concerns about access to the virtual meeting; the Paterson Planning Board's chair directed them back to the application. Members supported the addition's fit with nearby mixed-use buildings. Approval came with conditions including city engineering review and other agency approvals for soil conservation and county matters.
Paterson City Council adopts sewer charge changes
The Paterson City Council adopted an ordinance changing sewer use charges after a public hearing. Speakers asked about unpaid developer connection fees and neighboring municipalities' share of costs; council members questioned billing fairness, while the business administrator said charges apply by property category, including to properties with tax-abatement arrangements.
The changes affect sewer bills, while residents still want answers about unpaid fees and shared costs.
Paterson City Council approves $30,392,475.29 in bills
The Paterson City Council approved $30,392,475.29 in bills and disbursements, including $6,142,368.19 in payroll. Members sought clarity on school district payments and questioned equipment costs; the administration said a separate October school payment of almost $13 million would be issued the next day.
The approved payments cover payroll and other city expenses, with school district payment timing drawing questions.
Paterson City Council honors public works leader
The Paterson City Council adopted a resolution honoring a late Department of Public Works leader. Members praised his service, offered condolences to his family and asked to co-sponsor the resolution; Ruby Cotton said he was always available by phone.
The resolution records the council's recognition of a city employee and his work in public works.
Paterson City Council hears public service concerns
During Paterson City Council public comment, speakers raised diabetes prevention, home-business permits, public works breaks, school facilities and police response. Council President Dr. Lilisa Mimms said staff would follow up on questions about home businesses and sewer charges; council leadership cited a public works contract providing a half-hour lunch and two 15-minute breaks.
Residents sought answers on permits and sewer charges and raised concerns about the time available for public works breaks.
- Paterson City Council. Council held the public hearing and voted to adopt Ordinance 26-012 amending sewer use charges. Public commenters raised concerns about unpaid developer connection fees, repeated fee increases, and cost-sharing with neighboring municipalities; Council debated transitional aid conditions, fairness across property categories, PILOT properties, and enforcement/collections.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Paterson had 31 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEContract with Pro Phoenix Corporation for annual support and maintenance (CAD/RMS/WDA mobile software; IT; amount not to exceed $242,226.83). Council approved an IT contract with Pro Phoenix Corporation for annual support and maintenance of CAD/RMS/WDA mobile software, not to exceed $242,226.83. Council asked whether the contract covered multiple software products and requested last year’s contract amount.
- GOVERNANCEAward of contract to Wilcox Company LLC for auditing services (RFP 2026-33; one-year period; as-needed basis). Council approved a contract award to Wilcox Company LLC for auditing services under RFP 2026-33 on an as-needed basis for one year. Council discussed scope, staffing, and timing of audit completion and presentation to Council.
- GOVERNANCECouncil debate questions agenda changes and public notice. Councilman Jackson argued that Council rules require unanimous consent to consider matters not on the published agenda and asked the Clerk to clarify the rule. During adoption of the consent agenda, he again questioned adding items to a revised agenda without a unanimous vote and raised concerns about public notice.
- GOVERNANCEPaterson Hispanic Heritage event honors residents and celebrates culture. The program recognized local residents for community, school, health-care and public service, and honored the Cultural Passion Peru New Jersey organization. City and state officials celebrated Paterson’s Latino heritage and diversity, alongside student performances and Peruvian dance; the event also included acknowledgements and a benediction.
- GOVERNANCEMotion to close public portion. Council voted to close the public portion. After the vote, Council members made brief closing remarks including announcements about a health fair, constituent service hours, and responses to public concerns.
- GOVERNANCERecognizing November 14 as Paterson Diabetes Day (aligned with World Diabetes Day). Council adopted a resolution recognizing November 14 as Paterson Diabetes Day. Council members discussed personal and family experiences with diabetes, emphasized awareness and prevention, and encouraged healthy eating and medical follow-up.
- GOVERNANCEApplication A2024-00008 (United Assets Management LLC), 403-405 15th Avenue (Block 3809, Lot N/A as stated) — Minor Subdivision and Site Plan (Approved). The Board reviewed a proposal to demolish a fire-damaged 3-unit dwelling and subdivide a 4,786 sq ft corner lot into two lots, each with a new three-story two-family dwelling and parking. Multiple residents opposed the plan citing lot size, setbacks, parking, and other concerns; the applicant responded emphasizing increased parking and stormwater controls. The Board approved the subdivision and then approved the site plan, each by contested votes.
- GOVERNANCEApplication A2025-058 (SWID One LLC), 20-22 Chadwick Street (Block 5504, Lot 8) — Site Plan and Bulk Variances (Denied). The Board heard testimony on a proposed 5-story, 14-unit residential building with 5 parking spaces and rooftop amenities, later revised to 10 units by removing one residential floor. Commissioners raised concerns about density and parking near School No. 8 and the hospital area. The Board voted to deny the application.
- GOVERNANCEApplication A2023-0105 (Elgen Melendez / Yashira Marero Vargas), 32-36 North 10th Street (Block 705, Lot 7) — Minor Subdivision and Site Plan (Approved). The Board reviewed a proposal to subdivide a 7,500 sq ft lot into two lots and construct a new three-story two-unit dwelling while retaining an existing three-story two-unit dwelling. Public commenters largely spoke about virtual meeting access rather than the project. The Board approved the minor subdivision and then approved the site plan, with a stated deed restriction limiting the new construction to a two-family home.
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