Title
Dept/ Agency: Office of the Mayor
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Appointment
Purpose: Reappointment - Interim Chief Financial Officer
Name of Appointee(s): Benjamin Guzman
Appointment Term: February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027
Additional Information:
The position of Interim Chief Financial Officer of the City of Newark is for an effective date of February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027.
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WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 5:32-2.5 requires every municipality in the State of New Jersey to have a Chief Financial Officer, who is to be appointed by the Mayor; and
WHEREAS, Chief Financial Officer, Danielle Smith was appointed Chief Financial Officer for the City of Newark with a term expiring on June 30, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Chief Finance Officer, Danielle Smith has retired as of January 31, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Newark previously recommended Benjamin Guzman to serve as the Interim Chief Finance Officer through January 31, 2026; and
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 5:32-2.5 authorizes the appointment and re-appointment of temporary Chief Financial Officer to terms not to exceed one year and commencing on the date of the vacancy and may be reappointed for two (2) additional one (1) year not to exceed three (3) consecutive years following appointment; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Newark is re-appointing Benjamin Guzman to a one year interim term commencing on February 1, 2026 and ending January 31, 2027.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, STATE OF NEW JERSEY THAT:
1. Benjamin Guzman is hereby re-appointed to serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer, effective February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027, to be compensated in accordance with the City’s Salary Ordinance.
2. The City Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this Resolution to Benjamin Guzman and Eric Pennington, the Business Administrator.
STATEMENT
This Resolution appoints Benjamin Guzman to the position of Interim Chief Financial Officer of the City of Newark for an effective date of February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027.