FAQ's
Updated 28 January 2023
1. What is the essence of the petition to Change Clifton’s form of government?
Clifton Citizens for Change believes the voters should decide if our government structure warrants modifications by providing greater accountably to the citizens in two areas. One, direct election of the mayor by providing a platform for those seeking the position to detail their vision for the future of the City and directly addressing the issues of the day. Two, on the council level, with staggered elections every two years, candidates for council will need to address these same topics, as candidates for mayor, to the electorate on a two-year cycle rather ever four years. Greater opportunity for accountability all around.
2. What else will change?
We will still maintain the city manager form of government and non-partisan elections.
3. Were Wards considered as part of this referendum?
Yes, our first objective was to initiate the reform process of our government in Clifton. The process of reforming our government will not be successful with wholesale changes across the board in one shot. To achieve real Improvement, they will take place over time and must be acceptable to the voters. In our discussions with our fellow citizens, reaction to wards was very much divided. That being the case it was decide the likely hood of having a successful referendum was diminished. Therefore, the issue of wards would not be a part of this referendum. Secondarily, there is a cost and process to determining ward boundaries in accordance with the law. The boundaries of the wards would not be within the purview of the voters and a separate process we for the most part under the jurisdiction of the County Board of Elections.
4. Why should we amend the current form of government now?
The current form of government in Clifton is outdated and lacks sufficient
accountability. It provides for the opportunity for a high opportunity to hold our elected officials accountable and a shorter time span to hold our elected officials accountable. Delaying these reforms will not improve the current situation and the underlying problems will continue to fester. Basically, kicking the can down the road. There is no practical reason to continue the current situation. It’s time for the voters to make their decision on these reforms.
5. What options are there to change or amend a municipal charter?
Under the Optional Municipal Charter Law also known as the Faulker Act,
there are three avenues to amending a municipal charter. One, is to create a Charter Study Commission, Special Charter and Direct Petition by the citizens.
6. Why did Clifton Citizens for Change select the Direct Petition route?
Clifton Citizens for Change have been conducting significant research on this matter which commenced in February of 2022. The Charter Study Commission option requires public elections and government funding for staff and research. The Special Charter option also requires municipal funding for reposts and studies that would be submitted to the state legislature. Specific legislation related to Clifton must pass the General Assembly, the State Senate, and the signature of the Governor. Both require a significant amount of time and expenditures of local funds.
Clifton Citizens for Change has conducted their research on the matter at no taxpayer expense. We feel strongly that this effort should be citizen based with no political or other governmental influence.
7. Why was a charter study commission not considered in this process?
A study commission is costly, cumbersome and time consuming. It requires voter approval for the establishment of the commission. In the same election five members of the Commission will also be selected by the voters. At the conclusion of the commission’s work, if a recommendation is made, that will require another election is required for the voters to adopted or reject the recommended charter change. The cost of those elections and the staffing and expenses of the commission are the responsibility of the municipality.
8. What are the next steps in this process?
Petition Signatures - Approximately 5,700 signatures on the petition are required to put the question on the ballot for the voters to approve the proposed changes listed in the petition (10% of the registered voters in the City of Clifton). Once the required number of signatures are obtained, they will be submitted to the municipal clerk. If the petition is submitted to the municipal clerk between June 7 and September 7 of this year, the petition for voter approval will be on the November general election ballot for 2023. If not in that timeline a special election will be held. In accordance with state statute 40:69A-19.
9. If the referendum is approved by the voters when will the changes take place?
Upon the adoption of the referendum by the voters, the initial municipal election will take place at the next November general election. In that election, the position of mayor and two municipal council seats will be decided for four-year terms. Two years later at the November general election, the remaining four council seats will be up for election. The mayor and all council terms are for four years as per state statute. NJSA40:69A-83.3
10. Who determines which council seats will be in the initial segment?
It will be determined by lot. As per state statute. NJSA 40:69A-83.3
11. What is our current form of government / What will the new form of government be called?
The City of Clifton is and will continue to be a City Manager form of
government under this proposal. The City Manager is the chief executive of
the City. For the citizens of Clifton to vote directly for the mayor
and have staggered council elections the petition needs to adopt the City
Manager form of government under the Faulkner Act NJSA 40:69A-83.1
The position of the City Manager will remain and serves at the pleasure of the City Council.
12. Why keep the City Manager as Chief Executive Officer and not give those powers to the mayor?
Under the law, the person who holds the position of City Manager must
hold certain qualifications and certifications issued by the state. A
Mayor does not. The City Manager provides the municipality with an
individual who serves in that position with high level of professional
qualifications. As per NJSA40:69A -92
13. How many municipalities, with a population of 50,000 or more, in New
Jersey, have a City Manager form of government?
3 Cities and 2 counties.
14. What other forms of government could be considered under the Faulkner Act ?
Strong Mayor form
City Manager form
Mayor Council Administrator form
15. Who elects the Mayor in Clifton now?
The Mayor in Clifton is not elected. The mayor is currently selected by the
Council Members from one of their fellow council members.
16. Why should we have a direct election of the Mayor in Clifton by the
voters?
The candidates for Mayor will need to tell the citizens of Clifton the issues
and vision they have for the city to distinguish them from other candidates
running for the position. It adds a higher level of accountability for running
for this office. NJSA 40:69A-86(b)
17. Will this form of government change the duties of the mayor?
Essential the same. Chair the council Meeting and vote to break a tie, appoint members of the planning board and library board. NJSA 40-69A-87
18. Will the salary and benefits change for the mayor?
The same as it currently is. The council decides the compensation for the mayor and council members. The law and this petition does not have the authority to do that.
19. Will this form of government effect the City Council?
Yes, slightly. Under this form of government, the law provides for seven elected officials. The mayor and six council members. All elected officials will have 4-year terms in accordance with NJSA 40:69A-83.3
20. Why will elections be every two years instead of the current pattern of every 4 years?
The voters will have the opportunity to express their approval or
disapproval of the issues and status of the Clifton government in a
timelier fashion and brings greater accountability of elected officials.
21. What is the additional cost to the city of having municipal election under the proposed charter change?
In Clifton, if the proposal is accepted by the voters, the election of the mayor and council will continue to be held during the November general election. Any petition, question or public office that appears on the November general election ballot does not increase the cost of election to the City.
1. What is the essence of the petition to Change Clifton’s form of government?
Clifton Citizens for Change believes the voters should decide if our government structure warrants modifications by providing greater accountably to the citizens in two areas. One, direct election of the mayor by providing a platform for those seeking the position to detail their vision for the future of the City and directly addressing the issues of the day. Two, on the council level, with staggered elections every two years, candidates for council will need to address these same topics, as candidates for mayor, to the electorate on a two-year cycle rather ever four years. Greater opportunity for accountability all around.
2. What else will change?
We will still maintain the city manager form of government and non-partisan elections.
3. Were Wards considered as part of this referendum?
Yes, our first objective was to initiate the reform process of our government in Clifton. The process of reforming our government will not be successful with wholesale changes across the board in one shot. To achieve real Improvement, they will take place over time and must be acceptable to the voters. In our discussions with our fellow citizens, reaction to wards was very much divided. That being the case it was decide the likely hood of having a successful referendum was diminished. Therefore, the issue of wards would not be a part of this referendum. Secondarily, there is a cost and process to determining ward boundaries in accordance with the law. The boundaries of the wards would not be within the purview of the voters and a separate process we for the most part under the jurisdiction of the County Board of Elections.
4. Why should we amend the current form of government now?
The current form of government in Clifton is outdated and lacks sufficient
accountability. It provides for the opportunity for a high opportunity to hold our elected officials accountable and a shorter time span to hold our elected officials accountable. Delaying these reforms will not improve the current situation and the underlying problems will continue to fester. Basically, kicking the can down the road. There is no practical reason to continue the current situation. It’s time for the voters to make their decision on these reforms.
5. What options are there to change or amend a municipal charter?
Under the Optional Municipal Charter Law also known as the Faulker Act,
there are three avenues to amending a municipal charter. One, is to create a Charter Study Commission, Special Charter and Direct Petition by the citizens.
6. Why did Clifton Citizens for Change select the Direct Petition route?
Clifton Citizens for Change have been conducting significant research on this matter which commenced in February of 2022. The Charter Study Commission option requires public elections and government funding for staff and research. The Special Charter option also requires municipal funding for reposts and studies that would be submitted to the state legislature. Specific legislation related to Clifton must pass the General Assembly, the State Senate, and the signature of the Governor. Both require a significant amount of time and expenditures of local funds.
Clifton Citizens for Change has conducted their research on the matter at no taxpayer expense. We feel strongly that this effort should be citizen based with no political or other governmental influence.
7. Why was a charter study commission not considered in this process?
A study commission is costly, cumbersome and time consuming. It requires voter approval for the establishment of the commission. In the same election five members of the Commission will also be selected by the voters. At the conclusion of the commission’s work, if a recommendation is made, that will require another election is required for the voters to adopted or reject the recommended charter change. The cost of those elections and the staffing and expenses of the commission are the responsibility of the municipality.
8. What are the next steps in this process?
Petition Signatures - Approximately 5,700 signatures on the petition are required to put the question on the ballot for the voters to approve the proposed changes listed in the petition (10% of the registered voters in the City of Clifton). Once the required number of signatures are obtained, they will be submitted to the municipal clerk. If the petition is submitted to the municipal clerk between June 7 and September 7 of this year, the petition for voter approval will be on the November general election ballot for 2023. If not in that timeline a special election will be held. In accordance with state statute 40:69A-19.
9. If the referendum is approved by the voters when will the changes take place?
Upon the adoption of the referendum by the voters, the initial municipal election will take place at the next November general election. In that election, the position of mayor and two municipal council seats will be decided for four-year terms. Two years later at the November general election, the remaining four council seats will be up for election. The mayor and all council terms are for four years as per state statute. NJSA40:69A-83.3
10. Who determines which council seats will be in the initial segment?
It will be determined by lot. As per state statute. NJSA 40:69A-83.3
11. What is our current form of government / What will the new form of government be called?
The City of Clifton is and will continue to be a City Manager form of
government under this proposal. The City Manager is the chief executive of
the City. For the citizens of Clifton to vote directly for the mayor
and have staggered council elections the petition needs to adopt the City
Manager form of government under the Faulkner Act NJSA 40:69A-83.1
The position of the City Manager will remain and serves at the pleasure of the City Council.
12. Why keep the City Manager as Chief Executive Officer and not give those powers to the mayor?
Under the law, the person who holds the position of City Manager must
hold certain qualifications and certifications issued by the state. A
Mayor does not. The City Manager provides the municipality with an
individual who serves in that position with high level of professional
qualifications. As per NJSA40:69A -92
13. How many municipalities, with a population of 50,000 or more, in New
Jersey, have a City Manager form of government?
3 Cities and 2 counties.
14. What other forms of government could be considered under the Faulkner Act ?
Strong Mayor form
City Manager form
Mayor Council Administrator form
15. Who elects the Mayor in Clifton now?
The Mayor in Clifton is not elected. The mayor is currently selected by the
Council Members from one of their fellow council members.
16. Why should we have a direct election of the Mayor in Clifton by the
voters?
The candidates for Mayor will need to tell the citizens of Clifton the issues
and vision they have for the city to distinguish them from other candidates
running for the position. It adds a higher level of accountability for running
for this office. NJSA 40:69A-86(b)
17. Will this form of government change the duties of the mayor?
Essential the same. Chair the council Meeting and vote to break a tie, appoint members of the planning board and library board. NJSA 40-69A-87
18. Will the salary and benefits change for the mayor?
The same as it currently is. The council decides the compensation for the mayor and council members. The law and this petition does not have the authority to do that.
19. Will this form of government effect the City Council?
Yes, slightly. Under this form of government, the law provides for seven elected officials. The mayor and six council members. All elected officials will have 4-year terms in accordance with NJSA 40:69A-83.3
20. Why will elections be every two years instead of the current pattern of every 4 years?
The voters will have the opportunity to express their approval or
disapproval of the issues and status of the Clifton government in a
timelier fashion and brings greater accountability of elected officials.
21. What is the additional cost to the city of having municipal election under the proposed charter change?
In Clifton, if the proposal is accepted by the voters, the election of the mayor and council will continue to be held during the November general election. Any petition, question or public office that appears on the November general election ballot does not increase the cost of election to the City.