No Tax Increase in Proposed 2013-14 Municipal Budget, Says Mayor

Tuesday's Township Council meeting at Parsippany Hills High School gave some township residents a first peek at the proposed municipal budget for 2013.

Mayor James Barberio gave a presentation of highlights from his preliminary spending plan, and he began his summation with news most every taxpayer wants to hear: He is recommending no tax increase.

"While there were many challenges, particularly on the appropriations side, there were also many improvements on the revenue side," the mayor said. "I believe that this budget will allow us to maintain our commitment to Parsippany residents and businesses with the same level of services."

The mayor spotlighted key aspects of the budget proposal:

• a 4.8 percent revenue increase of $881,000
• a 0.9 percent decrease in the tax levy
• a zero percent tax rate increase "for the municipal budget, including the library"
• 2 percent salary increase for municipal white collar workers, which represent more than half of the town's workforce
• "merit increases for a few employees who have gone above and beyond, have had significant accomplishments or achievements or have taken on additional responsibilities due to the reduced workforce"
• five replacement police officers to maintain the "level of staffing required to adequately protect our residents and businesses"
• appropriations budget "largely stabilized" with increases offset by savings
• largest chunk of budget goes to personnel, particularly for police and sanitation workers
• personnel costs overall increased by about 3 percent
• other large increases include emergencies such as Superstorm Sandy, retirement payouts, debt service, police pension contributions, "legal fees in anticipation of pending litigation," disposal and yard waste (nearly doubled), replenishment of leaf bag supply, and reinstatement of the township's Fall Festival, "which many residents have called for"

Barberio said a smaller amount was budgeted for medical costs due to lower claims in 2012 and increasing employee contributions to their own health care. The gasoline line item amount is lower for 2013 as well, he said.

The mayor, discussing revenue, noted that tax collections are going well, with a successful collection rate of 99.2 percent. He said raising fees for construction,  permits, hotel occupancy and other areas helped boost the town coffers, which he said "bodes well for the future of the township."

Barberio said the water and sewer utilities are doing well, however, the story is not so rosy for the Knoll Golf Club, which he said "continues to struggle" due to "hostile weather conditions."

"I believe that changes that have been made will strengthen the golf utility," he said, anticipating more revenue from rounds of golf, rentals and catering.

He added that his administration will continue to seek out new money-making and cost-cutting ideas for Parsippany. Energy savings has been a huge boon for the town, the mayor said, noting, however, that "most of the low-hanging fruit has been picked."

The mayor said he is committed to expanding economic development and redevelopment in the township to increase the ratable base.

"In 2010, when I became mayor, a lot of Jefferson Road was a ghost town," Barberio said, noting that under his watch, new companies have brought the area back to life, among them Evonik Industries, Pinnacle Foods, PNY, American Financial Group and Ferring Pharmaceutical.

He mentioned the Money Magazine honor given to Parsippany for being the publication's choice as New Jersey's best small town to live in.

"This award is an enormous source of pride for all of us in Parsippany," the mayor stated.

Barberio's highlights did not include the total amount of the proposed budget, and copies of the preliminary spending plan were not made available to the public or to media. Neither is it available yet on the town's website. Patch has issued questions on the matter to the mayor and awaits a response.

The nitty gritty of the mayor's proposed 2013 budget will be revealed at the Township Council's special public budget hearings, which allow discussion of the mayor's recommended line items and give council members the opportunity to make any amendments. The gatherings will take place Monday, March 25, at 6 p.m., April 1 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 6 at 9 a.m. at Town Hall.