Call for an independent audit of Kearny's operations
The Issue
Kearny is a vibrant community with a rich history, a diverse population, and a promising future. However, recent developments have raised concerns among residents and taxpayers.
We, the undersigned residents and taxpayers of Kearny, ask the Mayor and Town Council to commission an independent performance, efficiency and asset audit of the Town.
Kearny is facing a serious fiscal problem. Municipal taxes have risen sharply, reserves have been drawn down, and difficult decisions about spending, services and municipal property are now being discussed.
Unfortunately, much of the public debate has already become an argument about individual departments, buildings or services. Before we decide what should be cut, closed, sold or protected, we ought to have a much clearer picture of how the Town as a whole is operating.
We are therefore asking the Mayor and Town Council to commission an independent performance, efficiency and asset audit, conducted by an outside firm with no connection to the Town government.
The review should examine:
1. Town-owned land and buildings, including current use, maintenance costs, condition, market value and whether any property is vacant, underused or surplus.
2. Vehicles, machinery and equipment, including an up-to-date inventory of what the Town actually owns and whether it is still needed.
3. Staffing, overtime and departmental organisation, including possible duplication and opportunities to provide services more efficiently.
4. Health-benefit and insurance costs, which have become a major source of budget pressure.
5. Purchasing, contracts and professional services, including whether existing controls are adequate and whether the Town is receiving good value.
6. Recurring subsidies and transfers, including the continuing support provided by the general budget to the Water Utility.
7. Problems already identified in annual audits, particularly findings that have remained unresolved from one year to the next.
8. Realistic opportunities for recurring savings or additional revenue, including better use, leasing or sale of municipal assets where appropriate.
The findings should be published in full, together with practical recommendations.
The purpose is not to assume that Kearny is riddled with waste, or to blame particular employees or departments. We do not yet know where meaningful savings can be made. That is precisely the point.
After a tax increase of this size, residents should be able to see what the Town owns, where the money is going, what problems have already been identified, and what alternatives exist before considering further tax increases or major cuts.
What we are asking for
We are asking the Mayor and Town Council to commission that review.
If they decline, residents can then submit the petition and supporting evidence to the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller and ask it to consider conducting a performance audit of Kearny under N.J.S.A. 52:15C-8.
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The Issue
Kearny is a vibrant community with a rich history, a diverse population, and a promising future. However, recent developments have raised concerns among residents and taxpayers.
We, the undersigned residents and taxpayers of Kearny, ask the Mayor and Town Council to commission an independent performance, efficiency and asset audit of the Town.
Kearny is facing a serious fiscal problem. Municipal taxes have risen sharply, reserves have been drawn down, and difficult decisions about spending, services and municipal property are now being discussed.
Unfortunately, much of the public debate has already become an argument about individual departments, buildings or services. Before we decide what should be cut, closed, sold or protected, we ought to have a much clearer picture of how the Town as a whole is operating.
We are therefore asking the Mayor and Town Council to commission an independent performance, efficiency and asset audit, conducted by an outside firm with no connection to the Town government.
The review should examine:
1. Town-owned land and buildings, including current use, maintenance costs, condition, market value and whether any property is vacant, underused or surplus.
2. Vehicles, machinery and equipment, including an up-to-date inventory of what the Town actually owns and whether it is still needed.
3. Staffing, overtime and departmental organisation, including possible duplication and opportunities to provide services more efficiently.
4. Health-benefit and insurance costs, which have become a major source of budget pressure.
5. Purchasing, contracts and professional services, including whether existing controls are adequate and whether the Town is receiving good value.
6. Recurring subsidies and transfers, including the continuing support provided by the general budget to the Water Utility.
7. Problems already identified in annual audits, particularly findings that have remained unresolved from one year to the next.
8. Realistic opportunities for recurring savings or additional revenue, including better use, leasing or sale of municipal assets where appropriate.
The findings should be published in full, together with practical recommendations.
The purpose is not to assume that Kearny is riddled with waste, or to blame particular employees or departments. We do not yet know where meaningful savings can be made. That is precisely the point.
After a tax increase of this size, residents should be able to see what the Town owns, where the money is going, what problems have already been identified, and what alternatives exist before considering further tax increases or major cuts.
What we are asking for
We are asking the Mayor and Town Council to commission that review.
If they decline, residents can then submit the petition and supporting evidence to the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller and ask it to consider conducting a performance audit of Kearny under N.J.S.A. 52:15C-8.
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Petition created on September 3, 2026