Politics & Government

Gildea Endorses Toolkit, Cites Arbitration Reform as Most Pressing Component

Town administrator in support of proposal.

Passage of Gov. Chris Christie's property tax toolkit would help with administration of town government, according to Town Administrator Jim Gildea.

Gildea said he is looking for the State Legislature to pass the 33 remaining bills in the toolkit, which the governor is proposing to change management practices for local governments and school districts would be a benefit in governing with the two percent property tax cap in place.

"The toolkit simply put is extremely important," Gildea said.

He said the two percent cap, cut in half from the previous four percent cap will make municipal budgeting harder for the coming year, including more review of budget items for potential cuts. Gildea cited the 2010 budget process under the four percent cap, which included declining non-tax revenue, the implementation of a hiring freeze and the cut of crossing guard positions as one of the tougher ones to assemble. He said the two percent cap will make it harder going forward.

Gildea said that in reviewing the 33 proposals that Christie has proposed, including arbitration reform and changes to health benefits and the reduction in carrying over sick days for future buyouts, the arbitration reform aspects are the most important to him. The comments echo many town administrators and local government officials around the state who have called for arbitration reform.

In Westfield, Mayor Andy Skibitsky and Schools Superintendent Margaret Dolan have both called for arbitration reform. On Tuesday evening the Town Council voted to endorse the toolkit and called for quick passage by the State Legislature.

Gildea said that while in Westfield the town has negotiated contracts with the firefighters and public works employees and has the police contract remaining, the arbitration reform and having more local government friendly tools placed in the hands of arbitrators would be of future benefit to town government.

Christie's arbitration reform proposals include requiring arbitrators to keep future raises under the cap, keeping the rate of inflation in play when determining awards and looking at the impact on property taxpayers in making awards to unions.

"It will be helpful for us," Gildea said of the arbitration reform proposals from the governor.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here