The Mayor, with the assistance of the Business
Administrator, shall prepare and submit to the Council his annual
budget pursuant to the Local Budget Law. During the month of November
in each year, the Municipal Mayor shall require all department heads
to submit requests for appropriations for the ensuing budget year
and to appear before him at public hearings, which shall be held during
that month, on the various requests.
After public hearing and such revision as it
may deem desirable, the budget may be amended by the Council pursuant
to N.J.S.A. 40:69A-46.
Budget appropriations shall be controlled by
an encumbrance system which shall be prescribed or approved by the
Mayor. In consultation with the Council, the Mayor shall establish
quarterly or such other periodic allotments of appropriations as he
may deem desirable. Each department shall plan and administer its
work program within the limits of such allotments, and no commitments
shall be incurred in excess of any such allotment except upon written
authorization of the Mayor.
Within the limits of available appropriations,
the Mayor is authorized to negotiate contracts and other legally binding
obligations of the Town upon approval of the Council. Any such document
shall be signed by the Mayor and attested by the Clerk or Deputy Clerk
and approved by the Town Attorney for legal form and sufficiency.
Purchase orders, for which a formal contract is not required by the
Charter, may be executed by the Mayor or Business Administrator without
further approval.
Where contracts are let by competitive bidding
pursuant to the Charter, the Council may award the contract in the
manner prescribed by law.