Jackson, Mississippi Water Dept was another recent example in the news

This time it's warranted due to possible police misconduct. In Jackson, it's the state that has let the mostly black city's infrastructure go to hell and stay that way until their water situation completely collapsed.

Elected local officials accountable to the voters are entrusted to manage them to the benefit of all residents. Water departments set their own rates, hire staff, and pass bonds to finance capital improvements. The bonds are paid with revenue from rates. Unless the Chief of Police is directly elected, Mayors and City Councils are responsible for managing the department and setting policies.

If there is police misconduct in Paterson, why aren't those entrusted by Paterson voters (Mayor & City Council) able to provide oversight & initiate reforms, just like every other city does?

If voters elect incompetent leadership, they have the power to "fire" & replace them with those who can do the job they are elected to do. Otherwise, one would have to assume that Paterson (or Jackson MS) voters can't be trusted to choose their own representation and therefore should lose their rights of local governance.

I hope they can correct the problems.

Corrupt, lazy, incompetent. I had some dealings with them when my brother died last year.