PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council adopted the 2015 municipal budget on Tuesday, July 14, a month after the budget had been approved on first reading.

The 2015 budget contains a slight decrease in total anticipated revenue at $93,194,939.93, and an increase of $363,784.69 in total Appropriation for Service (i.e. general government, land use administration, public safety, health and human services).

With regards to total property taxes, the estimated amount raised by taxes is $196,504,780.63. Last year’s total tax levy was $193,896,015.39.

Of assessed property values, those properties deemed taxable, including vacant land, residential, farm, commercial and industrial properties, a total of 15,450 parcels of land for a total assessed value of $7,160,610,050. The largest assessed value stemmed from residential housing, $4.3 billion.

Personnel cost totaled $43 million, while health benefits for local employees and retirees came to $9,501,800. Elected officials did not get budgeted in heath benefits. Lastly, the gross debt for the year of $167 million, minus deductions, came to a net debt of $75,303,289.47.

Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., said “Again I am proud to say that myself along with Councilman Valori as part of the finance Committee recommended cuts to the Mayors budget this year to the rest of the council and Council Vice President Peluso and Councilman Stanton agreed with these recommendations. These cuts saved the town hundreds of thousands of dollars and did not affect a single service to the residents of our town. I will always continue to do my do diligence for each and every resident of our town.”

Councilman Valori told Parsippany Focus that he was “very pleased that the Council was able to cut over $1,000,000 from the mayor’s budget while maintaining all the services our residents deserve.”

To view a copy of the final budget, click here.

The pleasant weather New Jerseyans have enjoyed the past two days isn’t going away quite yet. The forecasts for Friday and Saturday are nearly identical. A chance of rain could complicate outdoor plans for Sunday, though. In the meantime, the next two days are expected to be sunny with highs in the mid 80s, according to…

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp is advising current and potential law school students from Morris County that the deadline for a series of scholarships has been extended to August 15, through the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey.

The Oscar W. Rittenhouse, Andrew K. Ruotolo, Jr., Harris Y. Cotton and the John H. Stamler Memorial Scholarships are awarded annually by the County Prosecutors Association, which to law students, college and graduate students.

Each scholarship is a one-year grant in the amount of up to $3,500 that is paid directly to recipients. Scholarship recipients from previous years are ineligible.

To be eligible for the Oscar W. Rittenhouse Memorial Scholarship, an applicant must be a New Jersey resident who has been accepted for admission to a law school. The applicant must have an interest in pursuing a career as a prosecutor. The applicant must demonstrate financial need.

To be eligible for the Andrew K. Ruotolo, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, an applicant must be a New Jersey resident who has been accepted for admission to a law school or graduate school. The applicant must exhibit an interest in, and commitment to, enhancing the rights and well-being of children through child advocacy programs. The applicant must exhibit financial need.

To be eligible for the Harris Y. Cotton Memorial Scholarship, an applicant must be a New Jersey resident who has been accepted for admission to a law school. The applicant must have an interest in pursuing a career as a prosecutor with an emphasis in domestic violence or hate crime prosecutions. The applicant must demonstrate financial need.

To be eligible for the John H. Stamler Memorial Scholarship, an applicant must be a New Jersey resident and sworn law enforcement officer who is seeking educational advancement on a college or graduate level to improve his or her effectiveness as a law enforcement officer. The applicant must  demonstrate financial need.

The extended deadline for submitting applications is August 15.  Applicants will be notified of the Committee’s decision in October, 2015.  Applications can be downloaded by clicking here.