Budget Hearing Planned Following Dispute At Introduction Meeting In Parsippany

PARSIPPANY, NJ — The official budget hearing has been scheduled following the conflict between the mayor and two members of the Parsippany Township Council over the annual budget process at the April 18 council meeting.

Township residents found out that they will likely face another tax increase this year, following the introduction of an $88.4 million municipal budget at the last council meeting.

The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Council will hold a budget hearing open to the public on Tuesday, May 2, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

Residents will be able to ask questions about the 2023 budget to the administration, council, and department heads.

The proposed fiscal year 2023 budget calls for a 3.76 percent increase in the town's property tax levy and a 2.57 percent overall tax increase, which equates to an estimated $100 more per year per homeowner, based on the town's average home valuation of $313,000.

Following the introduction, a resident asked of the council if a public hearing on the budget would be held so that residents could gain a better understanding of the overall increases.

Read more: Clash Between Council And Mayor Surrounding Parsippany Budget Hearings

This sparked the initial debate, with most township council members ready to abandon the customary practice of holding a special budget hearing prior to COVID-19.

The introduction of the budget was approved unanimously, but only after Councilman Justin Musella pushed for open budget hearings and fervently supported citizen involvement in the township budgeting process.

"You would think people who represent the public at large, which is what the council does, that they would want to have their constituents have a say about how their own money is spent. It was mind-blowing to me that I had to even fight for there to be a public hearing," Musella told Patch.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James R. Barberio stressed that the budget proposal also emphasized replenishing the township's surplus and addressing public safety by adding more police officers to the force.

All increases are the result of inflation and mandated cost increases, officials said.

"At one point under the old administration, we were down to 81 deployable police officers. We added nine police officers and we're adding five more," Councilman Paul Carifi said.

All residents are invited to the public budget hearing, which will take place before the planned council meeting.

"Your input is critical in shaping the future of our community and will ensure that our town's budget is transparent, accountable, and reflective of the needs and priorities of our residents," Musella said.