The Mayor and City Council of Hackensack unanimously voted to appoint Timothy J. Hoffman as Acting Municipal Clerk, recognizing his decades of public service, municipal government leadership experience, and deep roots in Hackensack.

The appointment, which occurred yesterday at a Special Meeting, was met with generous applause from the dozens gathered in City Hall to offer their well-wishes to Hoffman in his new role. This appointment fills the vacancy created by the retirement of longtime Municipal Clerk Deborah Karlsson this past October.

“I am truly humbled and honored to step into the role of Acting City Clerk,” Hoffman said after his appointment, citing his appreciation of the “public servants” that make up the City’s municipal workforce. “I look forward to working with our dedicated team, and the Mayor and City Council, to provide exceptional service for our community.”

“This is really a special night. I think that’s why we are calling it a Special Meeting,” Councilman Roberto Diaz remarked shortly after the vote. “Your résumé is really impressive. To be a lifelong resident, and involved in the way that you’ve been involved with this City, speaks volumes about you.”

In the resolution appointing Hoffman, the Mayor and Council highlighted his extensive public service experience in Hackensack and the State of New Jersey.

• He currently manages Millburn’s municipal operations in their Administrative Office, overseeing expenditures and government functions while coordinating with various municipal departments, boards, and committees.

• Additionally, he has been civically engaged in Hackensack for decades, previously serving between 2013-2019 on the Hackensack Board of Education, where he was both the youngest Trustee and Vice President elected to that body.

• He is also an active board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Lower Bergen County.

Hoffman’s professional background in public administration has earned him statewide recognition. He previously served as Director for the Center for Community Research and Engagement at Seton Hall University and is currently President of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration.

“This is such a perfect example of what we want all of our residents to do, to fall in love with public service here in Hackensack, to develop skills to help people and be in the service of others, and to contribute to their community in whatever way they can,” Mayor Gaines said after Hoffman’s appointment.

“Our responsibility is to assemble the best team, the strongest team, possible,” he continued, addressing Hoffman directly. “And we know that with you on the team, that will be a reality.”

As Acting Municipal Clerk, Hoffman will manage city records, conduct municipal elections, document governing body proceedings, and ensure public access to government information is in compliance with legal standards.

He will also work closely with the Mayor, Council, and all municipal departments to support efficient operations and responsive public service.

Hoffman’s start date is set for December 11, 2025.