JERSEY CITY – Mayor Jerramiah Healy announced on Thursday that he has nominated Jack Kelly, the current chief financial officer and past city administrator for the City of Orange as the new business administrator for Jersey City.
The appointment, which is pending the approval of the Municipal Council, has been approved by the New Jersey Division of Local Government Services.
Kelly, who has 21 years experience as the CFO of Orange, replaces Brian O’Reilly, who has served as the business administrator since 2004.
Earlier this year Mayor Healy launched a statewide search for a new business administrator in preparation for O’Reilly’s retirement, which will happen before the end of the fiscal year in June.
“While several exceptional candidates applied for the position, Mr. Kelly possess the unique municipal government experience in administration and finance,” Healy said. “We are confident in his skills, knowledge, and expertise to lead the Department of Administration during this difficult economic time.”
Kelly brings with him experience in municipal budgets, bonding, labor negotiations, as well as streamlining health benefits costs. In his tenure in Orange, Kelly has overseen four property tax revaluations, an endeavor the city of Jersey City is starting to undertake. — RK