State of New Jersey Devantasenr oF Communtry Arrains 101 SouTH Broao Stace PO Box 803 Jon. Corzine Tuenton, NJ 08625-0803 Chants A. Richan Governor October 8, 2009 Acting Commissioner ‘The Honorable Sharon Robinson-Briggs, Mayor and Members of the Governing Body City of Plainfield 515 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, New Jersey 07061 Dear Mayor Robinson-Briggs and Goveming Body Members: ‘This is in regard to the status of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position in the Plainfield, It has come to the attention of the Division of Local Government Services that the City Administration has been moving different persons into the position of “Acting” or “Interim” CFO for approximately the last two years. Currently, the City has named Ms. Bibi Taylor, who does not possess a Certified Municipal Finance Officer (CMFO) certificate, as Acting CFO. Please be advised that there is no provision for the title of Acting CFO in the statutes. We are aware that the City has previously appointed both Natasha Turchan and Sandra Cummings, both of whom possess CMFO certificates, to this title over the time period in question. Pursuant to N.LS.A, 40A:9-140.10, the term of the CFO is to be for four years as of January 1 of the year of appointment. If such a term is not completed and a new certified CFO is appointed, such person should be appointed for the unexpired portion of said term, pursuant to NJS.A. 40A:9-12.1. Ms, Turchan and Ms. Cummings should have been appointed as CFO to a term in compliance with one of the above statutes. The City cannot arbitrarily move certified persons in and out of the CFO position and refer to them as Acting or Interim CFO, As it appears that the City has not properly appointed a CFO for approximately the last two years, I am requiring that the City appoint a certified CFO, in accordance with the provisions of NSA. 40A:9-140.10. Division staff spoke with Ms. Cummings in regard to this matter. We were told that she hhas currently been given the title Assistant Comptroller. She raised a concem that her name was Still appearing from a signature stamp as a co-signer on the municipal checks, even though she is currently not appointed as CFO. This is improper. Whoever is appointed CFO by the City, whether it is Ms, Cummings or another certified person, that person should be co-signing the municipal checks Please notify me in writing, within three weeks of the date of this letter, as to the status of the appointment of a certified CFO for the City of Plainfield, The correspondence should be mailed to the Division of Local Government Services, P.O. Box 803, Trenton, New Jersey 08625 0803, Reeve New Server san Equal Opportunity Emplever + Print “I paper und RecychableThe Honorable Sharon Robinson-Briggs, Mayor and Mecnbers of the Governing Body Page 2 October 8, 2009 Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter, If you have any questions in regard to this letter, please contact Daniel Kaminski of my staff at (609) 292.9757, Sincerely, : (enw ‘Susan Jacobucci, Director Division of Local Government Services Sh:djk