[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6455872,"mediaKeyId","5717168-fbbc7916cd065f225a66500697cc37b0","parentId",5717168,"title","Council delays budget review after members say books not delivered; public demands forensic audit amid talk of Riviera shelter and loans","audioSeconds",13155,"startMs",489000,"endMs",13644000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5717168-fbbc7916cd065f225a66500697cc37b0&start=489&end=13644","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5717168-fbbc7916cd065f225a66500697cc37b0/thumbnail_489000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6455872/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Council-delays-budget-review-after-members-say-books-not-delivered-public-demands-forensic-audit-amid-talk-of-Riviera-shelter-and-loans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455872-1eac286815e6ed3fada18ae55e88383c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154458&Signature=XBGUQIC8bWhUXtJYQBN7TDlMQ4IoFcaRxqgHGY90b2Zf1wqh-F5Z2UqlU320HNPblz8CBuZfZWfQENPlFkUTMlp8c5XKHu4kVfVonZsvsCENXZVnphyZDmmBK~WIPbTEEgWQcHeuF4MkU25KCClwif44TiRtx8zHSjxrQblIf~WwilJYJVgKrG~oCocmm~ZM8ytMouMDhJVAXjH4qpbqOPanJB1ytC98IHMXZsFJ3EEOtCiCI-IVQaEv8mrDPaCxbpp6Jsob5ETqJv9frjM33hQ2NATB-6Rva0XWOs7m1zitF9Vu4BuOiDjhrjMBuFxo5T6eitFvtULfNf~GWGui-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newark","date","2025-09-04T20:27:21.883Z","article","Council members and administration on Sept. 4 clashed over timing and transparency in the city’s budget process after several council members said they had not received budget books in time to prepare for scheduled hearings.

Councilman Gonzales told the administration the books were not available “and we don’t have the books” and that without them he could not attend a planned Saturday budget hearing. The Business Administrator, Eric Pennington, said staff were “pulling them together” and that he would provide an update.

Why it matters: Newark’s budget and its funding choices determine property tax rates, services and how the city addresses a budget shortfall residents described as a structural deficit. Several members of the public called for independent review and accountability before additional abatements or borrowing.

Public comments and demands for audit
Public commenters repeatedly urged the council to scrutinize tax abatements, agency spending and prior commitments. Key themes:
- Calls for a forensic audit. Lisa Metterson Parker and others urged a forensic audit of city finances and of tax‑abated projects; Parker said the city was “broke” and accused the administration of mismanagement.
- Concern over tax increases and borrowing. Several speakers referenced an overall municipal financing gap and a reported request from the administration to borrow from the state. Felicia Austin Singleton said, “We don't have a budget... We need a forensic audit before y'all do anything else in this city.” Deborah Salters and others highlighted property tax increases and asked for clarity on revenue flows.
- Pressure over tax‑abated projects and Invest Newark. Commenters asked about past abatements and whether money invested through quasi‑public entities had returned to the city.

Riviera shelter and contract concerns
Councilman Silva, who voted to authorize a lease/contract for the Riviera Hotel to house homeless residents and provide services, defended his vote at the meeting. Silva said the site would offer services and a path toward stabilization for people who are unsheltered in the Penn Station area. In response to concerns that the city could be unable to exit the lease, Business Administrator Eric Pennington said the agreement contains an out clause but cautioned that exiting a contract without legal cause could expose the city to litigation; he emphasized that any termination would be handled “legally and prudently.”

Budget calendar and actions
- Special emergency appropriation J (public hearing set for Sept. 9) was discussed and the Council deferred some budget items; one special emergency appropriation was deferred to a later hearing.
- Council members repeatedly requested the full budget books in advance; several members said they would not participate in a Saturday hearing until they had time to review materials.

Administration response
BA Eric Pennington said the municipal tax rate changes were often misreported in the press and provided context: he said the municipal rate increased by about 9% while the overall tax rate change reported in some outlets overstated the number; Pennington urged the public and council to look at the 10‑year trend when judging the administration’s fiscal performance.

Ending
Council members asked the administration to deliver budget books as soon as possible and scheduled follow‑up conversations. Residents who spoke said they will press for audits and accountability and signaled plans to continue public oversight at upcoming budget hearings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Meeting - Newark Municipal Council","oneSentenceSummary","Council members and the administration clashed at the Sept. 4 Newark Municipal Council meeting when several council members said budget books had not been delivered in time for scheduled hearings and public commenters demanded forensic audits and transparency.","taxTitle","Newark, Essex County, New Jersey","taxId",2741,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455877,"Newark council raises qualified purchasing threshold to $53,000; residents press for oversight",1037,859000,1896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5717168-fbbc7916cd065f225a66500697cc37b0&start=859&end=1896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5717168-fbbc7916cd065f225a66500697cc37b0/thumbnail_859000.jpg","/articles/6455877/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Newark-council-raises-qualified-purchasing-threshold-to-53000-residents-press-for-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455877-03608f7e312ba1c5f3eae0607793861a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154458&Signature=NLkkRiKM4pKmffIO6fw41M~L4VaK4NFmze4kjUdgTUvzcRvD04yWrTiz7O2yCzGjhGVxoWXj4cv2RXIljqP3b2ZvDdJFjSRBKP3kwS-U-Nm15IDxienrk8lj4zfyQRYA5ZjMeS-ugtNbPKiSyPG1KVvlZ-AF4gi~APeZRkA0sCsQhs0jtwI0uLYWJkvO~ORE3lHXSdXZbhozZE~ZC6V8jQPPnfwMR3OVcjz~ltNeTykxwKAftirjkYya4pP526amNwcTBsRujX116mVpsqw6Zw81NhAkTpLaOqfbjhsbRSQXhtl~hynXTc4qJ35S013HhDFyqz3SfgB9jRq0VFbEvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newark Municipal Council on Sept. 4 advanced ordinances increasing the city’s thresholds for contracts handled by a Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA) and increasing thresholds for the corporation counsel’s discretionary contracting authority. The measures were presented as necessary to conform the city’s procurement thresholds with state law governing QPAs; council adoption followed public comment and an explanation from the corporation counsel’s office.

Kenyatta Stewart, corporation counsel (appearing in the meeting record as representing the law office), told the council that with a qualified purchasing agent in place the city may raise the threshold for informal quotations: \"Before our threshold was 44,000, and it would have been 17,000 if we didn't have a qualified purchase agent... This gives us the authority... to do what we have to do in a more expedient way.\" The proposed new QPA threshold would move the dollar value that can be awarded without full formal competitive bidding to $53,000 (from $44,000).

Why it matters: raising thresholds changes which purchases require full formal bidding and which can be handled through QPA‑managed informal quotes. Supporters said the change speeds procurement and reflects inflation; critics said it reduces transparency and removes opportunities for council oversight and public bidding.

Public comment
Several residents and advocates criticized the timing and scope of the threshold increase while the city lacks a completed budget. Points raised during the public hearing included:
- Concern that increasing the threshold allows contract extensions and renewals without returning to public bidding. Lisa Parker asked for a fuller explanation of how contracts are extended rather than reprocured and asked, “How is that legal? Extension and amendments to the original contract instead of bringing them back to the table to bid again.”
- Questions about inflation and staff authority. Manera Bumani and others asked for the purchasing agent’s name and for clearer justification for the nearly $10,000 increase from $44,000 to $53,000.
- Worries about outsourcing legal work. Commenters said the law department appears to outsource work to private firms and that raising the corporation counsel threshold increases the amount that can be committed without council review.

Council response and vote
Kenyatta Stewart (Corporation Counsel) and administration staff explained that Juan Uribe, head of purchasing, is the city’s qualified purchasing agent and that the threshold increase aligns Newark with other public entities and state statutory practice. Council members asked clarifying questions about litigation thresholds and the effect on procurement practice. The ordinance was presented and adopted on roll call; the record shows the council voted yes on the measures as read into the minutes.

Ending
The administration agreed to provide additional procedural detail if requested. Residents who spoke Thursday requested written explanations of how the new thresholds will be applied and a list of existing contracts that could be affected by the change.","An ordinance to raise the Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA) threshold and a companion measure for the corporation counsel passed first reading after substantial public comment expressing concern about bypassing competitive bids and reduced council oversight.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455882,"Newark council approves multiple long-term tax abatements amid protests over affordability and oversight",2525,1935000,4460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5717168-fbbc7916cd065f225a66500697cc37b0&start=1935&end=4460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5717168-fbbc7916cd065f225a66500697cc37b0/thumbnail_1935000.jpg","/articles/6455882/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Newark-council-approves-multiple-long-term-tax-abatements-amid-protests-over-affordability-and-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455882-0bc0ddf0aa0832f9f9aa1d03de6565f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154458&Signature=O7yJrIeT4bIeUsOC4DKj0uu7zv~QyWPvYsULfzb3OgLYg-1dwJbAk83yQJVw~vTnuMfeyBKx-g2CbIH39Eju53Rd6xpdekAEKnhQNqaTd3DDSwUFHvtT1K~5Ye-4rZduVQkyxStkmrxFbwYdLtiEqAN6hN8ZUk3yBwzBg4xDH9cWA5z-YtOjsD30MPycbB51v-KfIUZ8jeHyitZACjGqBlpPwwMnWh4NS2UkR3bMKj8JIGLmg72j9h~UGrYSE66zC1w9~AWdLPNh2b8c2HnIXcjswbwvZPRXlbBnBbDzjJh~gYz0bOSS~rJ7jCYoAWGxhKnAxXpWlshzriYei1Fpwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newark Municipal Council on Thursday approved multiple long-term tax abatements and advanced others after public hearings that drew repeated criticism from residents and housing advocates.

Council members voted to grant 25-year long-term tax abatements for a Central Ward project (sponsored by Councilwoman Scott Rountree, seconded by Councilman Kelly), a South Ward 100% affordable project at 824–830 South 20th Street, and a North Ward project at 300–304 Garside Street. The council advanced a separate 30-year abatement for a Central Ward development at 107–109 Broad Street to first reading. Deputy Mayor Allison Ladd, director of economic and housing development, provided unit counts and Area Median Income (AMI) restrictions for the projects during the hearing.

Why it matters: tax abatement and payment‑in‑lieu structures shift future tax revenue flows and are a primary tool for encouraging new construction. Residents, tenant advocates and some council members said the city must use abatements to secure more affordable units, local jobs, project labor agreements and clearer enforcement of developer obligations.

Council action and project details
- Central Ward (Central Point Urban Renewal LLC). The ordinance granting a 25‑year tax abatement was sponsored by Councilwoman Scott Rountree and seconded by Councilman Kelly; the measure passed on roll call with all present members recorded as voting yes. Public discussion covered the project’s 77 residential units and an affordable component of 16 units. Deputy Mayor Allison Ladd told the council the project includes 61 market units and 16 affordable units: 4 units restricted to 40% of AMI, 4 at 60% of AMI and 8 at 80% of AMI. (Action: ordinance — outcome: approved.)

- 824–830 South 20th Street (824 South Twentieth Management Urban Renewal Entity LLC). Council advanced and adopted an ordinance granting a 25‑year abatement for a four‑story, 25‑unit building described in the record as 100% affordable. Ladd said the breakdown will be three units at 30% of AMI, nine at 50% and 13 at 60% (all below 60% AMI). The ordinance passed on roll call. (Action: ordinance — outcome: approved.)

- 300–304 Garside Street (300 Garside Management Urban Renewal LLC). An ordinance granting a 25‑year abatement for a five‑story building with 25 affordable rental units passed on roll call. Ladd reported the AMI distribution: 3 units at 30% AMI, 9 at 50% AMI and 13 at 60% AMI. Ladd also said total project cost is approximately $8.7 million. (Action: ordinance — outcome: approved.)

- 107–109 Broad Street (10‑7 / 10‑9 Broad Development Urban Renewal LLC). Council advanced a 30‑year abatement ordinance for a six‑story building that, as read into the record, would contain 48 market‑rate units and 8 affordable units. The item advanced to first reading for later public hearing. (Action: ordinance — outcome: advanced to first reading.)

Public comments and council response
Residents and advocates repeatedly called for stronger community benefits, local hiring, project labor agreements and clearer AMI commitments. Common themes:
- Affordability and AMI transparency. Multiple commenters, including Felicia Austin Singleton and Deborah Salters, pressed the council and developers to state explicit AMI targets and to ensure inclusionary zoning set‑asides meet local need. “You don’t even have an AMI up here,” Felicia Austin Singleton said during public comment, calling for clarity about whether units would be set at 80%, 60%, 40% or lower.
- Local hiring, project labor and enforcement. Lisa Parker urged the council to require project labor agreements and to enforce affirmative action obligations so Newark residents get construction jobs. She told the council, “Where’s the project labor agreement? … Every single developer here is short changing the people that live here to work here.”
- Worries about giveaways. Speakers including Manir Ramadi and others described tax abatements as “giveaways” that provide developers long-term benefits while residents face rising taxes and displacement.

Council members and administration responses
Deputy Mayor Allison Ladd repeatedly emphasized that several projects before the council exceed inclusionary zoning requirements and provided the specific AMI breakdowns for each project during rebuttal. Council members noted that some projects come to the city already proposed as affordable and argued that it can be appropriate to attach abatements to projects that expand the affordable housing stock. Councilman Lehi (Ramos) pointed out a recent law change that requires 90‑day first‑right offers for Newark residents on inclusionary projects, and Ladd said that 80% of units funded in recent projects have gone to Newark residents since that change.

What’s next
Several of the ordinances will be advertised and return for public hearing and final passage at a subsequent Council meeting. Residents and advocates attending Thursday’s meeting called for follow‑up: detailed reports on tax‑abated projects’ compliance, evidence of local hiring, the status of outstanding taxes from previously abated properties and an audit of the tax abatement program.

Ending note
Council records show the measures passed by roll call vote in each instance where the ordinance was advanced or adopted; the public record from the Sept. 4 meeting contains multiple public commenters asking the council to attach more enforceable community benefits to future abatements.","At its Sept. 4 meeting the Newark Municipal Council approved several long-term tax abatement deals and advanced others. Public commenters said the abatements too often benefit developers, questioned inclusionary zoning set‑asides and called for more transparency and local hiring commitments.","actionData","errors"]

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Council delays budget review after members say books not delivered; public demands forensic audit amid talk of Riviera shelter and loans

Newark council raises qualified purchasing threshold to $53,000; residents press for oversight

Newark council approves multiple long-term tax abatements amid protests over affordability and oversight