Borough of River Edge, NJ Borough Administrator

The Borough Administrator shall:

Direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices and agencies of the Borough, except as otherwise provided by law.

Attend all meetings as directed by the Mayor and Borough Council with the right to take part in the discussion and shall keep the Mayor and Borough Council currently informed on all matters assigned or otherwise within the role's jurisdiction.

Aid in the preparation of the budget, alert department heads to the submission of their portion thereof and upon request, assist the individual Borough Council Members and department heads in contributing their share of the responsibility for the municipal budget.

Provide a liaison between the Mayor and Borough Council and the various municipal boards, agencies and departments of the borough and its professional advisors.

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

Review any complaints concerning the functions and obligations of the Borough and made by any of its residents;

Serve as the Borough's Director of Human Resources, with responsibility to oversee the employment practices of the Borough's departments and agencies. The Borough Administrator shall recommend a comprehensive program of policies and procedures for approval by the Mayor and Borough Council, and, once that program is adopted, shall review it periodically and recommend any appropriate changes. In this role, the Borough Administrator shall develop and oversee a comprehensive training program for Borough employees; develop a program to recognize Borough employees for exceptional skills and achievements; oversee the Borough's labor relations activities and be included in all labor negotiations; advise department heads on the handling of grievances and serve as hearing officer on all formal grievances that rise above the departmental level. To the extent that any labor agreement prescribes some other arrangement for a Borough hearing, the Borough Administrator shall serve as an advisor to the prescribed individual or group.

Take appropriate disciplinary action against Borough employees and recommend to the Mayor and/or Borough Council, when necessary, suspension or removal of department heads and other employees. The Borough Administrator may, for good cause, suspend a department head or other employee for up to five working days while recommending more serious disciplinary action to the Mayor and Borough Council. The Administrator shall advise the Mayor and Borough Council of any such suspensions no later than the next meeting of the Borough Council.

Negotiate contracts for the Borough, other than personnel or labor contracts or those required to be bid under N.J.S.A. 40A:11 et seq., as authorized and directed by and subject to the approval of the Borough Council, and ensure that all terms and conditions favorable to the Borough in any statute or contract are kept faithfully and performed and, upon knowledge of any violation, immediately make said violation known to the Borough Council.

Establish and oversee a proper purchasing system as the Borough's Qualified Purchasing Agent; award contracts under the bid threshold, including window contracts over $17,500 pursuant to P.L. 2023, c. 30; approve all specifications for goods and services to be purchased by the Borough by public bid or formal solicitation of proposals, except for the technical portions of specifications prepared by any licensed professional; authorize and approve the purchase of all materials, supplies, equipment, and labor and services under contract required by any department, office or agency of the Borough; receive and open all requests for bids, proposals, and qualifications; administer the Borough's P-Card program; and approve all bills and vouchers submitted for payment prior to their submission to the Mayor and Borough Council for approval.

[Amended 9-14-2023 by Ord. No. 23-15]

Authorize any transfer of supplies, materials and equipment between departments and offices and, with the authorization of the Borough Council, sell surplus, obsolete, unused or waste supplies, materials and equipment.

Review and supervise the Borough's insurance program and policies, and serve as the Borough's Insurance Commissioner.

Examine or investigate the operations of Borough departments and offices and, to the extent permitted by law, direct corrective action of any shortcomings. The Borough Administrator shall recommend any changes in policy or other corrections which may increase the efficiency of the operation of the Borough that require action or by the Mayor and Borough Council.