Borough of Bergenfield, NJ Municipal Administrator

The Municipal Administrator shall be the chief administrative officer of the Borough under the general policy supervision of the Mayor and Council. He shall perform all of the following duties:

Supervise and direct the business activities of all municipal departments. He shall recommend, develop, promulgate, and implement, with the approval of the Mayor and Council, sound administrative, personnel, and purchasing practices and procedures for all departments, offices and agencies of the Borough.

Provide a liaison among the various municipal boards, agencies and departments of the Borough and its professional advisors. He shall be responsible for the coordination of interdepartmental operations and shall have the authority and duty to discuss with department chairmen and department heads such matters as he may deem necessary to the interests of the operation of the Borough of Bergenfield municipal government and to give such direction as he deems proper under the circumstances, within statutory limitations.

Be the purchasing officer of the Borough. He shall purchase, in accordance with the provisions of the governing statutes and sound purchasing practices, all services, supplies and equipment for the various agencies, boards, departments and other offices of the Borough. Prior approval of the departmental chairman shall be obtained for individual purchases exceeding $3,750. Purchases shall be made in accord with applicable state statutes, rules and regulations and shall require approval of the Mayor and Council. For purchases made without prior approval of the department chairman or the Mayor and Council, at least two quotations shall be solicited from manufacturers, firms or dealers when the cost of the item purchased exceeds $3,750, and the purchase shall be made from the lowest responsible vendor when the kind and quality of the items are equal. He shall keep an account of all purchases and shall from time to time or when directed by the Mayor and Council make a full written report thereof. He shall also issue rules and regulations governing the requisition and purchase of all municipal supplies and equipment, consistent with the provisions of this section, and in accordance with policies set down by the Mayor and Council. He shall review and recommend all bills and vouchers for payment prior to final approval by the Mayor and Council.

[Amended 12-6-2005 by Ord. No. 05-2363]

Annually, after appropriate consultation with department heads and municipal agencies, collect all necessary data and prepare a proposed capital and operating budget for consideration by the Mayor and Council. The proposed budget shall be accompanied by the proper supplemental detail in support of the proposed budget appropriation with a comparison of prior year's expenditure and an analysis of the proposed expenditures, with recommendations regarding the feasibility thereof.

Upon adoption of the budget, be responsible for its administration and for implementation of the work programs contained therein. He shall maintain a continuing review and analysis of budget operations, work programs and costs of municipal services and shall, on a monthly basis or as directed so to do by the Mayor and Council, submit said reviews and analyses to the Mayor and Council.

Serve as the chief personnel officer of the Borough. As such, he shall, after prior approval of the department chairman, hire and promote employees of the Borough subsequent to satisfactory completion of the probationary period and shall advance said employees or employee to the next step. When he deems it necessary or advisable for the betterment of the Borough, he shall suspend employees, or, after prior approval of the department chairman, discharge employees; provided, however, that persons covered by the Civil Service provisions of the state or other applicable statutes shall be promoted, hired, suspended or discharged only in accordance with such provisions. The Municipal Administrator shall report all actions taken under this subsection at the next regular meeting of the Borough Council.

Attend all meetings of the Mayor and Council and other committees as directed by the Mayor and Council, with a right to take part in the discussions. He shall receive notice of all regular and special meetings of the Mayor and Council and all advisory committees and shall attend all such meetings whether within or without the Borough as he may be assigned, from time to time, by the Mayor and Council.

Prepare the workshop agenda for each meeting of the Mayor and Council and supply facts pertinent thereto and deliver same to the Mayor and Council 48 hours in advance of the workshop.

Keep the Mayor and Council currently informed of all matters assigned to him or otherwise within his jurisdiction, through periodic reports, either in writing or orally, as directed by the Mayor and Council.

Receive copies of all general and official correspondence addressed to the Mayor and Council and shall refer same to the appropriate officer or department for disposition and reply.

Report to the Mayor and Council annually, at such time as the Council may require, on the coverage, expiration date and premium of each surety bond and contract of insurance; the nature and terms of outstanding leases, the rent reserved by each and their respective expiration dates.

See that the provisions of all franchises, leases and privileges granted by the Borough are complied with.

May recommend the employment of experts and consultants to perform work and render advice in connection with the operation of authorized work projects in the Borough subject to approval by the Mayor and Council.

Expedite the letting of contracts and supervise the performance and faithful execution of the same except insofar as such duties are expressly imposed upon some other Borough officer or official by statute.

See that all money owed the Borough is promptly paid, and that proper proceedings are taken for the security and collection of all the Borough claims.

Keep the Mayor and Council currently informed as to Federal Aid projects and State Aid projects and any other aid programs for which the Borough may qualify.

Act as liaison between the Borough and the various county, state and federal agencies, with respect to all applications for funds or services needed or required by the Borough.

At the request of the Mayor and Council, investigate the actions, duties and responsibilities of any elected or appointed official and the operations of any department of the Borough, submitting his report relating thereto to the Borough Council for such further action as it may deem advisable.

Perform such other administrative and ministerial duties and functions as may be assigned to him by the Mayor and Council.

Devote his full time to the duties of his office, and he shall not become employed in any other enterprise without the specific consent of the Mayor and Council.

The Municipal Administrator shall have all those powers and duties specifically set forth herein, other than those required by law to be exercised by the members of the Borough Council, or by any other officer, board or body.