Budget Woes Could Leave Parsippany Services, Jobs In The Balance

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Mayor Michael Soriano pushed back against Township Council's criticism of potential budgetary measures from his administration. As the town faces a budgetary crisis, measures could include an end to overtime pay and freezes on hiring or promotions that include additional compensation.

Business Administrator Fred Carr outlined the cutbacks in a June 21 email, saying Parsippany "is now in the discussion of ending programs and services," according to Parsippany Focus.

The administration's budget cannot exceed the state-mandated 2 percent cap. Council members have pushed back against the perception that they've put the township in a position the cuts the administration has discussed are necessary.

"This sends a wrong message to our employees and to the public," Council President Michael dePierro wrote in TAPinto Parsippany. "The Township Council did not request the budget cuts or create the budget shortfall that this administration finds itself in."

When asked about the council's criticism, Mayor Michael Soriano said via a spokesperson that "putting our residents through an additional 14.6% tax increase at such a tenuous time is not only unfair, it’s dangerous."

"At the end of the day, taxpayers deserve a sensible budget that will continue to provide the township services they need without breaking their household budget," Soriano said. "The administration hopes that council still remembers who they were elected to serve as these discussions continue.”

dePierro said last month that failure to close the budget gaps could result in a 14.6 percent tax increase for 2021. With the township facing an estimated $9 million deficit, the administration proposed taking a $5 million emergency loan to balance the budget — hampered by the economic impact of COVID-19.

The council agreed earlier this month to slash the loan to $2.3 million. The reduced amount gives the township the opportunity to repay the loan in full next year, when it can access the rest of its federal COVID relief funds. Read more: Emergency Loan Proposal Slashed More Than 50% In Parsippany

"If the administration is looking for advice on areas to cut, I would recommend all of the new, administrative positions that have been created in the past three years," dePierro wrote in TAPinto. "The salary, pension and benefits of many of those positions exceed six figures."

Campaigns Weigh In

Soriano — a Democrat — is running for re-election against Republican candidate James Barberio, who served two terms as Parsippany's mayor.

Musella — a Republican running for Township Council — says the situation reflects Soriano's "mismanagement" of the budget during his time in office.

“By attempting to place blame with the council for the township’s budget woes, Soriano has shown he is incapable of taking responsibility for his woeful mismanagement of our local government," Musella said. "Not only has he failed to introduce a balanced budget as required by law, but his behavior has also shown a complete lack of empathy for township employees by using them as pawns for his political games."

The campaign manager for "Team Soriano" pushed back against the allegation.

"The contrast couldn’t be clearer," said Elise McGovern. "Mayor Soriano and his administration are focused on being fiscally responsible and fighting against tax increases, while the Republican-controlled council’s proposal would increase taxes by nearly 15 percent."

McGovern said that the state-authorized loan, which council agreed to, prevents the 14.6 percent tax increase.

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