Fiscal commission forced to reject Niles recovery plan

NILES — An admission by the city auditor that he cannot meet a deadline in the city’s recovery plan from fiscal emergency forced the Financial Planning and Supervision Commission tonight to reject the entire five-year plan despite state auditors calling it “viable and realistic.”

The 35-point plan was submitted by Mayor Ralph Infante and approved by council last week. Niles has been in fiscal emergency since last October.

Auditor Charles Nader said he could not complete installation of payroll into the new software system by the June 1 deadline. Although it was the only problem in the entire plan, Sharon Hanrahan, commission chairman, said state statutes require rejection if a plan cannot be accepted in full.

Acting on Hanrahan’s recommendation, the commission voted 6-1 to reject with only the mayor voting against it. None of the commission members voiced opposition to any of the remaining 34 points.

For the complete story, ready Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com