--------- I don't need to try. >> You still got to go easy on the road range though because you don't want to reinjure yourself. >> Well, that's true. >> Can you give people a finger? >> Stop. >> But you know that certain people certain people are still trying to avoid avoid
playing certain sports. And >> that's right. Well, I'm waiting for your right arm to be surgery. Then I'll >> ping pong. He says special kick any butt. But actually, I was saying, man, uh, we got to break out a pig pump.
>> Yeah. >> And I thought we had the stuff fixed that way, but she said she fixed it already. >> Yeah. >> So, we're ready to go. >> Yeah. DJ fix it. I think >> we got to get >> Somebody else has one in the basement. >> Yeah. Me? >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> My wife loves to play. >> Oh, >> only your wife. >> That would be Yeah, my wife does. >> But not you. >> Just my wife. >> Not. How are you? >> It's been there for years. She always tries to get us and the kids to play. This is like
>> we're getting her over to the tournament of champion. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And and you remember um our Matt Matt said his daughter is unbelievable. He can't even close. >> So it's somebody else.
>> Hey Mitch, how you doing? Every time you hear something like that, I know you're thinking, "Oh, a new challenge." >> You're doing a lot better in about another half hour. >> Yeah, that's why gets adopted. >> All right. I hear you mean three hours. >> That's a good one. That's good. It's good.
>> Very funny. >> All the work's been done. >> One minute, give or take. I was thinking earlier like when's the last time you had a full year going into >> Sandy Rice the Excel expert. >> Yeah. Don't give me a I'm being
recorded. 529 guys. >> Okay. >> Is there some incense burning in this room? >> Okay. 5:30. Call this meeting to order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance.
To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. In which to announce the 48 hour notice is required under the open public meetings act was emailed to the
Aspbury Park Press, the co-star and the new coaster on December the 18th of 2025 that a copy has been placed on the bulletin board in the burough office and that a copy has been filed with the municipal clerk. Please be advised public attendance for meetings through Zoom is not mandatory and emergency
courtesy only. If for any reason Zoom fails or is disconnected the meeting the in-person meeting will continue without interruption, an action can and will be taken providing that there is an inerson quorum. Mr. Noble >> here Miss Green >> here. Mr. Carr >> here.
>> Mr. Noiki excused. Mayor Kubosi >> here. Thank you. Uh welcome folks who have come out for our budget adoption meeting tonight. I appreciate your attendance and same to those joining us via Zoom. Uh we'll move to item five on the
agenda, which is in fact our 2026 municipal budget public hearing and adoption activity. Uh I'll I'll start that off to to ask the council any comments or questions anyone would like to make before we open it up to the public.
>> Everybody's good. >> All right. I'll also note that our CFO, Mr. Mitch Sim is with us. So any questions from the uh audience, please feel free to ask. And with that said, I'll make a motion that we open uh this
hearing up for the public related to the 2026 municipal budget. >> Second. >> Mr. Noble, >> yes. >> Mr. Green, yes. >> Mr. Carr, >> yes. >> Mr. Nikiti, excuse. Mayor Bossi, >> yes. >> All right. Uh public hearing is now
open. Comments or questions from the public with us? I see no hands and no hands on my Zoom. Right. That is >> That's the cursor. >> Yeah, that's that good old cursor. [laughter] >> All right. Um seeing no uh comments or
questions, um I'll make a motion to close the public hearing. >> Is there Mr. Noble? >> Yes. Mlat? >> Yes. >> Mr. Carr? >> Yes. >> Mr. Nikki? Excused. Mayor Guboszi. >> Yes.
All right. Now, uh we do have time to have a governing body discussion on the municipal budget adoption. Uh any discussion, comments on before we vote to adopt the budget. >> I just want to thank CO and you for your
hard work in getting this to >> I'll echo that. Yeah. Because um it was really refreshing like to have a meeting with you. sat down with Sean and me, I felt you were transparent, you were inclusive, you were collaborative, you were helpful to the public, and it was very refreshing. And I was just saying
before, I'm really looking forward to this year starting in November, having a full-time CFO. We haven't seen that in years, and it's a very welcome change, and I'm very, very happy you're on board. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mitch. Yeah, I'm just going to say the same,
Mitch. I said it at at our last meeting, but uh you've been a breath of fresh air just uh the way you not only dove into helping us develop this year's budget, but you're also continuing to identify control weaknesses. And you know, I
won't get into a lot of depth there other than to say there's still a lot of stuff that needs to be fixed. Uh I feel the pro is in good hands and I'm really happy that we as a council decided to move forward. and a full-time CFO. >> Uh our past service from uh from shared
service CFOs was certainly uh solid support, but I don't think any of them really had the time to devote to the burrow the time needed to really get us back on track. So uh so you've been, as you said, a breath of fresh air. So thank you for joining us. Yeah, I mean
it's total ownership and I'm sure as much as we're looking forward to that process next year, I'm sure you're you're looking forward to at least continuing on your own work and not having to >> come behind somebody else.
>> We we have almost a daily conversation about the fact that we're making progress, but there's still a way to go. So, as long as we keep making progress, that's more than we've probably been able to say for a number of years. So, thank you again. Okay. Uh, if there's no other comment or
questions, I'll uh make a motion to approve resolution 2026-184, which would be the adoption of the 2026 municipal budget. Second, >> Mr. Noble, yes. M. Greenwood, >> yes. >> Mr. Clark, yes. >> Mr. Niki, excuse. Mayor Guposi,
>> yes. Item six on the agenda is uh public comments. Any comments, whether it be on this agenda or in general, feel free to raise your hand. Mr. West. um sort of roundabout. Um because I'm not good on
finances. This is the 2026 budget. Where are we kind of lost count with the the past one that was such a disaster and they were getting audited and
done and looked at somebody really here doing it. Where are where are we with all those 223 budget 24 are we out of the woods with that yet? >> Um so we're always lagging. There's always
a lag. So we'll probably never be quote unquote out of the woods at least uh in terms of the timing of audit versus where we are because the audit right now for example our auditors are are preparing the 2025 audit. >> They're looking at the 2025 year while
we are approving a 2026. >> Yeah. And to the extent they they find discrepancies or they propose adjustments to the 25 uh financials that we've already closed. We the burrow have closed. Usually they're insignificant if
any. Uh but but you know there's always a possibility that an audit auditor may come back and ask us to make more significant adjustments. We won't know that probably maybe until August time frame or maybe a little later. But usually it should be August time frame.
So that said, we are out of the woods through 2024. And we had a couple of particularly bad a not the audits were fine. The results of the audits were not particularly good in 22 and 23. >> Those were the ones that are more concerned. That was where we
>> Yeah. The the auditors of of those years shared that many concerns including most most striking uh that they felt we didn't have internal controls, financial controls and without any controls. They
said they really had trouble opining on the uh reasonleness of our financial statements because they said we don't know what we don't know. We don't know what might be missing and could be significant. And they said that in the audit report they said it could be significant and we would not identify
it. That's how bad we were back in 22 23. Um as as we came in in 25 where we had you know for the first time a new CFO we had you know new mayor.
>> Yep. In new VA we began the process of cleaning things up. I think I can honestly say um that process has been accelerated with with Mr. Simon's arrival in 26. So 25 uh it wouldn't surprise me if we're still going to find
some of the weaknesses and controls still exist. I would also say by the end of this year first of all in the 24 audit the last one that was delivered uh we immediately within two months which is identified by law we immediately uh
provided a response Mr. draw on the terminology. Do you recall? >> Yeah, it's the uh we need to to um I don't know I don't know >> there there's a requirement within two
months and the bureau has not met that requirement in years but we did with Mr. Science Health in early 26, two months ago maybe. Um, immediately following the audit, uh, we were able to provide, uh, our review of, you know,
what actions we would take, corrective action plan. >> Correct. >> Cap. >> Um, so we actually for the first time in many years, we filed a corrective action plan and we acknowledge that there have been control weaknesses. M, Mr. Sim has been uh, and we said this this year has
been uh, closing out a lot of concerns. Uh some of the others we're continuing to work on. So we are getting out of the woods, I guess, is the best way to describe it. >> Okay. Yeah, that's Yeah, I have a feeling that the future is looking good. I was just wondering about some of the
baggage that you kind of left. >> Yeah. And and we've said this publicly, but I'll say it again just to respond to your question, but uh but in 25, my first year as mayor, uh it wasn't just the financial statements. There was some
actual real expenditures that we the burrow did not see coming as we entered that year, the cost of the union settlement, a few of the more significant lawsuits. So there were some very significant expenditures that were not appropriately budgeted for. No one
knew they were coming. Um, and that that definitely has created some challenges for Mr. Sim getting us closing out the 2025 year and some of those even had an impact blowing into how we set the 2026 budget. So, by the time we get through
2026, I think I think we're going to be in great shape, but we're still struggling with some of those challenges, you know, through this year. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or comments from Yes, sir. Mr. Bartal
[clears throat] Bartal 116 Newark. Just wondering if we had any indication yet of what the impact of the county and the education will be on the final number of the 4.7% increase. >> I have that on my to-do list. Uh I don't
I don't have that. I don't think anyone else would have that yet. Uh I'm fairly convinced. >> We ju we just got the payment schedule from uh the board of ed just recently. Our first payment is actually due until August. So we're going to break down the numbers on that. We'll have that in the
next couple weeks. >> We'll be able to give it the taxpayers a consolidated tax. >> That's correct. Yes. >> Okay. What do you think in the next week or two? >> Um either certainly by the first meeting in August if not um if not the second
second meeting July. and and I can also help there. Uh we between your data you're pulling together and we can reach out to Mr. Aguar and just we'll get all the component parts as soon as we can aggregate we will share that with the public. >> Okay, that's it. Thank you.
>> Thank you sir. Any other comments or questions here in the room? Anyone on Zoom? Okay. Uh seeing no other comments or questions we can Oh, sorry. Okay. So,
councilwoman Greenblad is asking when will the when will the new concession open? Uh where the sewer pump station used to be concession and bathrooms. Uh and the short answer is really soon.
Um, you know, it's it's to a point where the final finishing touches are going in for plumbing and and electricity and grease trap and like a microwave oven and just various minor things. Uh, the expectations maybe we'll get those in
over the weekend or Monday or Tuesday with final little plumbing tweaks. And uh, unfortunately though, it won't be ready for Fourth of July, which is, you know, major milestone. Uh we think it'll be ready shortly thereafter and uh
uh what was I going to say about that? Oh and and the concession here would like to get in as soon as they can. The council's already discounted the fees pretty dramatically in recognition of the significant time for the summer. Uh we're likely to discount it a little bit
more. We're down to $5,000 and we'll probably discount it more um in fairness to the concession here because we want to make sure we have a relationship and it is a fiveyear contract. So we would love to have a give them a good first year experience. So the next four years
will be profitable for them. So uh that is a long-winded way of saying within a week or two they should be and we are scrambling down to finish that right now. Uh one other comment just because you're asking it's somewhat
related. Um, we we'll have all the signage around the prominade extension. >> Uh, we will actually physically have it in our hands. There's 10 signs being delivered tomorrow. And those signs will
immediately be posted from 4th Avenue South. Uh, not all the signs will be posted because some of them will go up uh on July 6th, Monday, when temporary fencing is up. Some of the sites will be on the temporary fencing. Can't put them up till the fencing is up. But but at
least half if not more of the signs will be up on fourth half, third evergreen. Uh and those signs are critical because they one they have some preliminary comments about what's happening. Maybe most importantly, they have a very large
QR code and our residents and beachgoers will all be able to scan that QR code. it'll take them right to the website and we will be making regular updates, communication updates on our website. So, uh that is another big event really that construction begins July 6, Monday,
right after the 4th of July weekend. Any other comments or questions from the public or the council? >> Thank you very much. >> All right. >> Fireworks on Thursday. >> Fireworks. >> Fireworks on Thursday. If there are no
other public comments and no other council comments, I'll make a motion that we adjourn. >> Second. All in favor? >> I thank you. Thanks everyone. >> Thanks for being here. Thank you, Terry. >> Good job. Oh yeah. Yes.
>> Your hard work paid off. You stand >> got some concession. Part: 2
She It's been there for years. She always tries to get us and the kids to play and just like, you know, oh, there's laundry to do. >> We get her over to the tournament of champion. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Remember, >> there's one person out there,
>> Matt. Matt said his daughter is unbelievable. Can't even close. >> Every time you hear something like that, I know you're thinking, "Oh, a new challenge." >> Lot better in another half hour. >> It's adopted. >> All right. I hear you.
>> We do. What do you mean? Three hours. >> Good. >> All the work's been done. >> One minute, give or take. I was thinking earlier like when's the last time they had a fulltime CFO it was
Sandy Rice. So it's been a few years now. So it' be nice this year going into >> it's going to save you spend like a week and spend >> right because we had average. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Andy Rice the Excel expert.
>> Yeah. Don't get me going. Come on. I'm being recorded. 529 guys. So, >> okay. >> Is there some incense burning in this room? [laughter] >> Okay, it is 5:30.
Call this meeting to order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> I wish to announce the 48 hour notice is required under the open public meetings act was emailed to the Aspbury Park Press, the co-star and the new coaster on December the 18th of 2025 that a copy has been placed on the bulletin board in the burough office and that a copy has been filed with the municipal clerk.
Please be advised public attendance for meetings through Zoom is not mandatory and a courtesy only. If for any reason Zoom fails or is disconnected the meeting the in-person meeting will continue without interruption an action can and will be taken providing that
there is an in-person quum. Mr. Noble >> here Miss Greenlat >> here. Mr. Carr >> here. >> Mr. Noiki excused. Mayor Guboszi >> here. Thank you. Uh welcome folks who have come out for our budget adoption meeting tonight. appreciate your attendance and
same to those joining us via Zoom. Uh we'll move to item five on the agenda which is in fact our 2026 municipal budget public hearing and adoption activity. Uh I'll uh I'll start that off to to ask the council any comments or
questions anyone would like to make before we open it up to the public. Everybody's good. >> All right. Uh I'll also note that our CFO, Mr. Mitch Sim is with us. So any questions from the uh audience, please
feel free to ask. And with that said, I'll make a motion that we open uh this hearing uh up for the public u related to the 2026 municipal budget. >> Second. >> Mr. Noble, >> yes. >> Mlab, yes. >> Mr. Carr, >> yes. >> Mr. Nikiti, excused. Mayor Gubosi,
>> yes. All right. Uh public hearing is now open. Comments or questions from the public with us? Okay, >> I see no hands and no hands on Zoom. Right. That is a cursor.
>> Yeah, that's that good old cursor. >> All right. Um, seeing no uh comments or questions, um, I'll make a motion to close the public hearing. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Noble. >> Yes. If Miss Springlat, yes. Mr. Carp,
>> yes. >> Mr. Niti, excused. Mayor Gubos. >> Yes. All right. Now, um we do have time to have a governing body discussion on the municipal budget adoption. Uh any
discussion, comments on before we vote to adopt the budget. >> I just want to thank CFO sign and you may for your hard work in getting this to the finish line and thank you. >> Yeah, >> I'll echo that. Yeah, because um it was
really refreshing like to have a meeting with you. you sat down with Shauna and me, I felt you were transparent, you were inclusive, you were collaborative, you were helpful to the public, and it was very refreshing. And I was just saying before, I'm really looking forward to this year starting in
November, having a full-time CFO. We haven't seen that in years, and it's a very welcome change, and I'm very, very happy you're on board. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mitch. Yeah, I'm just going to say the same is I said it at at our last meeting, but uh
you've been a breath of fresh air just uh the way you not only dove into helping us uh develop this year's budget, but you're also uh continuing to identify control weaknesses and you know, I won't get into a lot of depth there other than to say there's still a
lot of stuff that needs to be fixed. Uh I feel the burrow is in good hands and I'm really happy that we as a council decided to move forward bringing in a full-time CFO. Uh our past service from uh from shared service CFOs was
certainly uh solid support but I don't think any of them really had the time to devote to the burrow the time needed to really get us back on track. So u so you've been as said a breath of fresh air. So thank you for joining us. Yeah, I mean it's total ownership and I'm sure
as much as we're looking forward to the process next year, I'm sure you're you're looking forward to at least continuing on your own work and not having to come behind somebody else. >> We we have almost a daily conversation about the fact that we're making
progress, but there's still a way to go. So, as long as we keep making progress, that's more than we've probably been able to say for a number of years. So, thank you again. Okay. Uh if there's no other comment or questions, I'll uh make a motion to approve resolution 2026-184,
which would be the adoption of the 2026 municipal budget. >> Second, >> Mr. Noble, >> yes. Mr. Green, >> yes. >> Mr. Carr, >> yes. >> Mr. Ninki, excuse. Mayor Guboszi, >> yes. Item six on the agenda is uh public comments. Any comments, whether it be on
this agenda or in general, feel free to raise your hand. Mr. question. >> Um, sort of 518 North Avenue roundabout. Um, I'm not good on finances and
this is the 2026 budget adoption. where we kind of lost count with the the past ones that such a disaster and they were they were getting audited and and had them get redone and looked at and by somebody was really here know what we're
doing. Where are where are we with all those 22 23 budget four five we out of the woods with that yet? >> Uh so we're always lagging. There's always a lag. So we'll probably never be quote
unquote out of the woods at least u in terms of the timing of audits versus where we are because the audit right now for example our auditors are are preparing the 2025 audit >> they're looking at the 2025 year >> while we are approving a 2026 budget
>> and to the extent they they find discrepancies or they propose adjustments to the 25 uh financials that we've already closed we the bureau have closed usually they're insignificant if any. Uh but but you know it's there's always a possibility that an audit auditor may
come back and ask us to make more significant adjustments. We won't know that probably maybe until August time frame or maybe a little later but usually it should be August time frame. So that said we are out of the woods through 2024 and we had a couple of
particularly bad audits and not the audits were fine. The results of the audits were not particularly good in 22 and 23. >> The ones that are more concerned I was where it was. >> Yeah. The the auditors of those years shared that many concerns
including most most striking uh that they felt we didn't have uh internal controls, financial controls. and without uh any controls. They said they really had trouble opining on the uh reasonleness of our financial statements because they said we don't know what we
don't know. We don't know what might be missing. It could be significant. And they said in the audit report they said it could be significant and we would not identify it. That's how bad we were back in 22 23. um as as we came in in 25
where we had you know for the first time a new CFO, we had you know new mayor. >> Yep. New BA we began the process of cleaning things up. I think I can honestly say um that process has been
accelerated with with Mr. Sims arrival in 26. So 25 uh it wouldn't surprise me if we're still going to find some of the weaknesses and controls still existed. I I would also say by the end of this year first of all in the 24 audit the last
one that was delivered uh we immediately with within two months which is identified by law we immediately uh provided a response. Mr. Sim what I'm drawing blank on the terminology do you recall? Yeah, it's the uh need to to um
I don't know. >> Yeah, right. >> There there is a requirement within two months. The bureau has not met that requirement in years, but we did with Mr. Sim's help in early 26 two months ago maybe. Um immediately
following the audit, uh we were able to provide uh our review of you know what actions we would take corrective action plan, >> right? CAP. >> Um, so we actually for the first time in many years we filed a corrective action plan and we acknowledge that there have
been control weaknesses. Miss Mr. Sim has been uh and we said this this year has been uh closing out a lot of those concerns. Um some of the others we're continuing to work on. So we are getting out of the woods I guess is the best way to describe it.
>> Okay. Yeah. Yeah. I have the feeling that the future is looking good. I was just wondering about some of the baggage that you kind of left and conquered. >> Yeah. And and we've said this publicly, but I'll say it again just to respond to your question, but um but in 25, my
first year as mayor, uh it wasn't just the financial statements. There were some actual real expenditures that we the burough did not see coming as we entered that year. The cost of the union settlement, a few of the more significant lawsuits. So there were some
very significant expenditures that were not appropriately budgeted for that. No one knew they were coming. Um and that that definitely has created some challenges for Mr. Stein getting us closing out the 2025 year and some of those even had an impact rolling into
how we set the 2026 budget. So by the time we get through 2026, I think I think we're going to be in great shape, but we're still struggling with some of those challenges, you know, through this year. Sounds good. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or
comments from Yes, sir. Mr. Bart Tal [clears throat] Bartal 116 Newark. Just wondering have we had any indication yet of what the impact of the county and the education will be on the final number of the 4.7%
increase. >> I have that on my to-do list. U I don't I don't have that yet. I don't think anyone else would have had that yet. Um I'm fairly mentioned >> we we just got the payment schedule from uh the board of ed just recently. Our
first payment is actually due until August. So we're going to break down the numbers on that. We'll have that in the next couple weeks. >> We'll be able to give a the taxpayers a consolidated tax rate. >> That's correct. Yes. >> Okay. What do you think in the next week or two? >> Um
either certainly by the first meeting in August. not um not as a second meeting in July >> and and I can also help there uh we between your data you're pulling together and we can reach out to Mr. Aguar and just you we'll get all the component parts as soon as we can
aggregate it we will I share that with the public >> okay that's it thank you >> thank you sir any other comments or questions here in the room anyone on Zoom okay uh seeing no other comments or questions uh we we can question for you.
>> Oh, sorry. >> Do we happen to know when the concession open on the boardwalk, the new concession? >> Okay. So, C councilwoman Greenblad is asking when will the when will the new concession open uh where the sewer pump
station used to be? Uh concession and bathrooms. Uh and the short answer is really soon. But, um, you know, it's it's to a point where the final finishing touches are going in for plumbing and and
electricity and a grease trap and, uh, uh, like a microwave oven, just very minor things. Uh, the expectation is maybe we'll get those in over the weekend or Monday or Tuesday with final little plumbing tweaks. And, uh, unfortunately though, it won't be ready
for Fourth of July, which is, you know, major milestone. Uh we think it'll be ready shortly thereafter and um uh what was I gonna say about that? Oh, and and the concessioner would like to get in as soon as they can. The
council's already discounted the fees pretty dramatically in recognition of the significant time missed for the summer. Um we're likely to discount it a little bit more. We're down to $5,000 and we'll probably discount it more um in fairness to the concessioner because we'll we want to make sure we have a
strong working relationship and it is a five-year contract. So, we would love to have a give them a good first year experience. So, the next four years will be profitable for them. So, uh that is a long-winded way of saying within a week or two they should be up and running,
>> right? and we are scrambling down the finish line right now. Uh, one other comment just because you asked and it's somewhat related. Um, we we'll have all the signage around the prominade extension.
There you go. >> Um, uh, we will actually physically have it in our hands. There's 10 signs being delivered tomorrow and those signs will immediately be posted from 4th Avenue South. Uh not all the signs will be
posted because some of them will go up uh on July 6th, Monday, when temporary fencing is up. Some of the signs will be on the temporary fencing. Can't put them up till the fencing is up. But but at least half if not more of the signs will be up on fourth a third a Evergreen.
>> Uh and those signs are critical because they one they have some preliminary comments about what's happening. Maybe most importantly, they have a very large QR code and our residents and beachgoers will all be able to scan that QR code. It'll take them right to the website and
we will be making regular updates, communication updates on our website. So, um that is another big event really that construction begins July 6, Monday, right after the 4th of July weekend. Any other comments or questions from the
public or the council? >> No. [laughter] Thank you very much. All right. >> Fireworks on >> Thursday. Sorry. >> Thursday. >> Yeah. >> What was fireworks? >> Fireworks on Thursday. >> If there are no other public comments and no other council comments, I'll make a motion that we adjourn.
>> Second. All in favor? >> I. >> I. Thank you. Thanks everyone. for escal.