Neals Named Newark’s Acting Business Administrator

Newark Mayor Cory Booker Friday announced that Julien Neals will serve as acting business administrator for New Jersey’s largest city, effective Monday.

The appointment is subject to approval from the Municipal Council. Neals has been the city’s corporation counsel, the city’s top lawyer, since February 2008. He also served as chief judge for Newark’s Municipal Court, the state’s largest and busiest municipal court.

“In the past, I have sought Julien’s guidance and direction on a countless number of challenging issues,” Booker said in a statement. “I am confident that his demonstrated administrative leadership capabilities will successfully lend themselves to the city’s efforts to ensure that we achieve fiscal solvency during one of the worst economic crises in our city’s modern history.”

Newark is implementing layoffs, spending cuts, and property-tax increases to help balance its fiscal 2010 budget. A real estate lease-back plan with the Essex County Improvement Authority will also provide the city with needed funds this year. The authority in December plans to issue $89 million of bonds in order to buy up to 17 city-owned properties from Newark. Lease payments from the city will repay the bonds.

Acting business administrator Michael Greene will return to his former position as assistant business administrator.

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New Jersey
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