Council OKs Mayor's Budget Introduction—But Not Unanimously

The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council, by a vote of 3-2, approved the introduction of Mayor James Barberio's proposed $62 million 2013 municipal budget at its Tuesday night agenda meeting at Parsippany High School — and the town's top executive is not happy that the vote wasn't unanimous.

Council members Paul Carifi Jr. and Jonathan Nelson, who are both running for mayor in the 2013 election, voted against the measure. Barberio is running for re-election.

In a statement released Wednesday, Barberio attacked them both and called on the councilmen to change their votes when the measure comes up for a final vote.

The would result in a zero percent tax increase for residents.

"I worked hard on this budget to provide our residents the tax relief that they deserve," the mayor said. "I am most proud of the fact that my budget not only holds the line on taxes, but does so without sacrificing municipal services.

"I have provided the necessary leadership and have made the tough choices to reduce the tax levy in each budget I have introduced as mayor," Barberio's statement continued. "All of that work has culminated to produce this year’s zero percent tax increase budget. Moreover, this budget puts Parsippany on a course for strong fiscal management and lower taxes for years to come."

Barberio charged that council members Carifi and Nelson's no votes were votes "against tax relief for our residents who see other taxes and costs rise every day" and were "particularly cruel to ... residents who are struggling to make ends meet in this challenging economy."

The mayor also noted that the councilmen voted against many citizen services, including "giving $550,000 back to our taxpayers from our sewer surplus," "hiring five new police officers," "maintaining and enhancing municipal services for our seniors" and "enhancing our recreation programs for our families and children."

He accused both of "playing politics."

'Violation of the Public Trust'

Carifi responded by saying that his no vote, as he explained before the public Tuesday night, had to do with the mayor's handling of raises for township workers.

“The mayor has distorted the real budget story and fails to tell Parsippany residents the underhanded maneuvers he pulled to hand out exorbitant raises for a chosen few while Parsippany residents are struggling to make ends meet and retain their jobs,” he said. “Mayor Barberio tried to sneak in huge merit raises, in addition to annual pay raises, without discussing it with the township council members during prior budget meetings. This is a violation of the public trust.”   

The proposed budget gives 2 percent raises to white-collar workers and merit raises to some municipal workers.

“We should not be handing out merit raises during these challenging economic times when Parsippany residents are under constant threat of pay freezes, pay cuts, furloughs and layoffs," Carifi said. "Handing out $5,000 merit raises in addition to 2 percent annual raises for employees making more than $90,000 a year is irresponsible.”

Carifi also said Barberio "is trying to hand out raises to part-time employees that far exceed what most full-time employees are getting as their annual raise," calling the move "another reckless and irresponsible backdoor maneuver crafted by this mayor.”

For his part, Nelson said he was "shocked and dismayed" by Barberio's statement, calling it "politically motivated."  

"Speaking only for myself and no other councilman, I have worked cooperatively with the mayor during the entire budget process," Nelson said. "I have asked all the right questions to make sure that our taxpayers receive a dollar’s worth of value for each taxpayer dollar spent. I understand that in these hard economic times elected officials must be held accountable for their actions.  Last night’s vote was merely a vote for introduction and had nothing to do with the budget's final adoption. The mayor knows that."

Nelson said that at 3:39 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the council meeting and "much past the 11th hour," council members were told by township administration that "a handful of township employees are to receive merit raises over and above their budgeted 2 percent pay increase."  

"While it is not the role of the council to be involved in the day-to-day operation of the township," he said, "the council has an obligation to ask questions. While I do not completely disagree with the concept of merit raises, I do feel strongly that thousands of dollars in merit raises for part-time employees is not smart practice and only creates hostility and animosity in the workplace."

Tuesday's meeting also included mention of an ordinance proposal that would give off-duty Parsippany police officers a 30 percent pay raise. 

"The administration at best provided inaccurate information and at worst, lied to the council [about] what other municipalities pay their officers," Nelson said, rejecting any accusation of politicizing the issue. "If this councilman had not fact checked the administration, this ordinance may very well have passed and a 30 percent pay increase would have become law."

Nelson asked Business Administrator Jasmine Lim about the comparative figures she provided to the council and whether the numbers came from the police department. She indicated that they did.

"Did you doublecheck their numbers?" the councilman asked her before the audience at Parsippany High.

"No," Lim said.

Nelson then read a list of actual figures that off-duty officers receive in other Morris County municipalities that showed they received anywhere from $10 to $30 less than the numbers township administration reported to the Town Council.

"I have never politicized the budget process and I never will," the councilman said in response to Barberio's Wednesday accusations. "I take very seriously the quality of life issues and the value our residents receive through the taxes they pay.  I will continue to ask questions whenever I feel answers need to be given. 

"I never have been and never will be a rubber stamp for the mayor." 

Merit Raises 'Reward Good Performance'

Barberio dismissed the criticisms regarding merit raises, saying they are nothing new and have been part of each of his budgets "as an incentive to reward good performance and commitment by employees who go above and beyond the call of duty."

The mayor also attacked Republican rival Carifi regarding the controversy surrounding his brother, Board of Education member and former police officer James Carifi, who is at the center of a police investigation for allegedly stealing confidential police documents.

"It seems that the only person Mr. Carifi believes should get a bonus is his brother who is suing the town and suddenly resigned from the police department in the midst of yet another Carifi scandal," said Barberio.

"I am calling upon Councilmen Carifi and Nelson to vote for the budget upon its adoption."