Paterson, NJ Tuesday July 21 2026 The Municipal City Council Special Meeting

The City of Paterson, NJ Municipal City Council held a special meeting on July 21, 2026, primarily focused on budget hearings and procurement-related resolutions. Key procurement actions included the approval of budget revisions reallocating Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for public safety equipment such as a new fire ladder truck ($1.3 million), library improvements, and Habitat for Humanity housing projects. The council also authorized contracts for road striping by Denville Line Painting Inc. and the purchase of 816 OmniCards for recycling under an HGAC contract. Discussions emphasized the need to fill numerous vacant positions across departments, particularly in economic development, public works, fire, and police, to improve service delivery and revenue generation. The council addressed challenges with staffing, salary scales, and the impact of delayed hiring on departmental efficiency. The meeting included detailed budget presentations from department heads, highlighting contractual salary increases and operational needs. The council also discussed the importance of maintaining and enhancing city services such as libraries and recreation, with plans to explore creating a dedicated recreation and parks division. The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of department efforts and a call for continued collaboration to address budgetary and staffing challenges.