Only two question Hamburg budget
Hamburg’s budget hearing Monday night was tame, with just two residents raising questions on next year’s tentative budget.
Spending in all funds would rise 1.2 percent to $40.83 million, and the total tax levy is $22.66 million, up less than a half percent. But spending is down from a high of $42 million several years ago.
Tax rates would remain stable. The general and highway fund tax rate for town residents living outside the villages of Blasdell and Hamburg is $8.99 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, while village residents pay $4.04 per $1,000. The tax rates do not include charges for special districts, which vary.
The budget, if approved, will result in the third consecutive year without a town tax rate increase.
The town faced declining revenues and increases in spending over which it has no control, said Wayne Drescher, its financial consultant. Because of lagging sales, sales tax revenue will not increase, while interest income dropped from about 3 percent last year to about a half percent this year.
“The banks just aren’t paying the interest they used to,” he explained.
At the same time, required payments into the state retirement system have skyrocketed, and payroll has increased. Health care costs have remained the same, and the cost of gasoline has gone down from last year, he noted.
Both residents speaking at the hearing are running for office. Patricia Michalek, the Democratic candidate for supervisor, questioned a $40,000 decrease for the Youth Bureau and asked whether the town plans to spend any money to relieve flooding problems at the golf course.
Supervisor Steven J. Walters, her Republican opponent, said a Youth Bureau employee who retired last year will not be replaced. He said revenues from the golf course support spending at the course. No major work is included in the budget, but the town has submitted a claim to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for damage done to the golf course in the August rain storm.
Jon Gorman, a Democrat running for Town Board, asked about the town’s fund balance, and Walters said it was well-funded.
The board plans to vote on the budget Nov. 16.
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