A FAB Council meeting

Tuesday's Township Council meeting contained an interesting debate on what one might assume to be a rather dry topic. Resolution II on the meeting agenda sought to authorize the creation of an Advisory Board on Finance (aka Financial Advisory Board or FAB), comprising representatives from the Council and the Board of Education as well as residents appointed by those two bodies, whose responsibilities would include reviewing proposed budgets, considering opportunities for shared services, and "[exploring] opportunities for cost savings." The resolution was ultimately approved by five of the six Council members present (with former Mayor Jacqueline Kates the lone dissenter), but not before a relatively rare public debate among Council members that may have afforded Teaneck residents a glance at what goes on when members meet behind closed doors. If the Council can conduct all its business at the same high level displayed on Tuesday, with both pro and con sides advancing well thought out arguments while displaying both great conviction and great civility, Teaneck will be in very good hands.

Given the dozen or so advisory boards and commissions that the Council has created over the years, one might not expect the addition of another to ruffle too many feathers. However, Teaneck Board of Education President Judith McKay spoke out against the resolution as proposed, opining that creating an official body to look over the shoulder of the elected officials who bear the responsibility for prudently formulating school budgets would be inappropriate. While the Council may choose to authorize the FAB to assist it in reviewing a school budget in the event one is defeated and then sent to the Council, McKay felt there was no reason to introduce the group into the BoE's process, though the BoE would cooperate and supply whatever documentation were requested of it. Kates took up this argument when it came time for the Council to discuss the resolution, pointing out that as it stands now, "any citizen can review the budget," and therefore passing a resolution that invites the BoE to submit to this extra layer of oversight was not justified.

However, Councilman Gussen, with support from Mayor Katz, who wholeheartedly endorsed the idea of having a "fresh set of eyes" scrutinizing spending of taxpayer funds in the interests of fiscal responsibility, resolutely defended the resolution, pointing out the importance of having a specialized group with particular expertise combing through budgets and advising decision makers. Other new members of the Council, clearly eager to start making good on campaign promises to an electorate fixated on taxes and spending, threw their support behind the resolution, noting that it was a key recommendation of a task force on taxes and Teaneck's visioning project (as resident Alan Sohn mentioned in the public comment period). The fact that the FAB's recommendations, like those of other advisory boards, would not be binding on elected officials probably smoothed the way for passage of the resolution as well. What could be more appealing than a no cost way to demonstrate the Council's commitment to using resources wisely?

As this Council gets down to business, residents can be encouraged by the commitment councilmembers are showing to faithful stewardship of taxpayer funds. They can be equally encouraged by the thoughtful way in which councilmembers are approaching their responsibilities in pursuit of that ideal.

Note: you can read more about this issue here.