2004 municipal budget

Log Out | Lost Password? | Topics | Search Contact | Register | My Profile | SO home | MOL home

Thread Originator Last Poster Posts Pages Last Post   Closed: New threads not accepted on this page

Author Message   doublea Citizen Username: Doublea Post Number: 322 Registered: 3-2003 Posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 12:33 pm:        I thought it best to start a new thread on the 2004 budget. I tuned in late to the BOT meeting last night, and heard only part of the discussion about the 2004 budget. What I think had been said was that revenues were coming in better than anticipated and therefore some of the budget cuts that had been anticipated might not have to be made. My question is even if this is so, why shouldn't we take a good look at what can be cut? This as been the problem for years - as long as the tax increase was in the 4-5% range, no places were looked at that might be cut. Shouldn't we take a good hard look and see what can be cut in any case? This is also the problem I have had all along with PILOTs. With the Village taking in all the revenue from the PILOT, the Village might not be inclined to try to restrain costs. Bottom line - the Village should take a good hard look at all costs, and not just try to manage costs to hold the municipal increase to 4.5% - 5%. This is still much higher than the cost of living.   mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 710 Registered: 4-2002 Posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 1:21 pm:        doublea: I agree that the BOT needs to continue to look at cutting costs. 4.5 - 5% should not be the ultimate goal. I would want to look at cuts that can be made without impacting on services. From reading your posts, I do not think this is your only problem with a PILOT agreement. Since there is only one PILOT in place and any others would not affect next years budget, you can be assured that I will be doing whatever I can to minimize an increase. The CBAC meeting is on Thursday evening. I hope you (and whomever else wants) goes to the meeting. Exact time is on the village web page (www.southorange.org) or you can call village hall and ask for the clerk's office for the time and place.   doublea Citizen Username: Doublea Post Number: 323 Registered: 3-2003 Posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 1:53 pm:        I hesitated to bring up PILOTs because it's time to move on. I think if you go back and read my posts, you'll find that this was my strongest objection. As I recall, nwyave was also concerned about this. In any event, I'm glad you agree that we should look at any cuts that can be made without effecting services. This should be done every year, since we have such a high tax rate that any percentage increase or decrease in the tax rate is significant. I raised the point because I was getting the feeling that we were going to continue as we have in the past - not look at any cuts if the revenues were sufficient. You have answered this for me. Thanks.   nwyave Citizen Username: Mesh Post Number: 126 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 7:54 pm:        I say this with seriousness and not out of sarcasm. I think we should be targeting a 0% increase for next year and really try to get there. That will be the only way we will get as low an increase as possible. Paying SO taxes, it is definitely not reasonable to say only a 4% increase. Even if it was in line with COL, which it is not (about double), it is off an extremely high base. Imagine what our property values and our day to day cash flow would be if our taxes were controlled. I agree there is not a tremendous amount of discretionary expenses - yet there are some - Tony Smith sculpture, raises, surplus (reluctantly) and unfortunately I am not familiar with every line on the budget, but I am sure there are other items. We need to force a target of 0%, and if necessary settle for a 1% or 2% increase. I would also urge the Board of Estimate to not authorize school increases above the statutory permitted amount. I believe this past year our BOT reps on that Board permitted a couple of million in additional spending above that statutory amount. Sorry I know this is now what people want to hear, but we are in crisis mode. Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to attend the CBAC meeting   vermontgolfer Citizen Username: Vermontgolfer Post Number: 131 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 8:11 pm:        I agree with nwyave, we should target a 0% increase as a starting point and then go from there. I too will be unable to attend the CBAC meeting, since, seriously, I have a meeting with a financial planner so I can try to continue to afford to live in this wonderful community.