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Phone: (732) 721-5600, Ext. 2060
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Business Administrator
(732) 721-5600 Ext. 7902 
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Administration

A municipality operating under the mayor-council form of government has a department of administration headed by a business administrator and other such departments, no less than two and no more than nine, as council creates by ordinance.

All of the municipality's administrative functions, powers and duties, other than those of the municipal clerk and tax assessor, must be allocated and assigned among and within such departments by a director appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of council.

The business administrator can function much like a "chief of staff" under the direction and supervision of the mayor and shall:

  • Assist in the preparation of the budget;

  • Administer a centralized purchasing system;

  • Be responsible for the development and administration of a sound personnel system;

  • Be responsible for the development and administration of a sound personnel system;

  • Perform other duties as council may prescribe


The governing body of the municipality may provide, by ordinance, that the business administrator also shall, subject to the direction of the mayor, supervise the administration of each of the departments established by ordinance. For this purpose, he/she shall have the power to investigate the organization and operation of any and all departments, to prescribe standards and rules of all departments, prescribe standards and rules of administrative practice and procedures, and to consult with the heads of the departments under his/her jurisdiction; provided that with respect to any department of law, audit, accounts or control, the authority of the business administrator under this subsection shall extend only to matter of budgeting, personnel and purchasing.

The first three duties of the administrator are very specific. However, the last two duties are potentially very broad, if the mayor and council want them to be. Beyond assisting the mayor in the preparation of the municipal budget and administering the purchasing and personnel systems, the mayor and council define the role of the business administrator and the scope of his/her authority.