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Capital budget hike to continue town projects
Council is otherwise cutting spending, keeping taxes level
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While Huntington's capital budget would go up by about 18.8 percent, from $11.7 million to $13.9 million, in 2010, the Town Board is proposing to reduce operating expenses by about 5.9 percent or $11.5 million while promising no significant reduction in town services and no tax hike, town spokesman A.J. Carter said this week.
The preliminary $185 million operating budget is down about 5.4 percent from last year. The budget that Jo-Ann Raia presented to the Town Board on Sept. 22 proposed a tax rate of $20.50 per $100 assessed value for the general, part-town and highway funds; and a refuse flat tax of $369. Both taxes would remain level from 2009.
Highlights of the proposed budget, set for an Oct. 6 public hearing, include a salary freeze for elected officials and appointed personnel; elimination of nine full-time positions and the funding of 25 others at half-level; and the use of $5.25 million from the town reserve funds and $5.3 million from the town's fund balance to offset an $11 million shortfall in revenue this year.
Had it not been for the state's enactment of the payroll tax to fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the town could not have reduced its portion of the property tax for residents, Supervisor Frank Petrone claims.
"I have made it clear over the years that while I believe it is good fiscal policy for the town to put money into reserve funds during good times, as we did from 2000 through 2007, those funds must be used to offset potential tax increases when times become tough," Petrone stated. "I also believe that when the economic climate affects so many of our residents, and jobless rates and foreclosures rise, it is time for us as a municipality to tighten our belts and to reduce spending and taxes, so that our residents are not overburdened."
The ailing economy, Petrone cautioned, "may require that we slow the pace on some upcoming projects and not begin any new project until such time as we can absorb the increased debt service accrued each year without increasing property taxes."
The 2010 budget would continue to fully support human services programs for seniors, veterans, handicapped residents and youth; renovate a business incubator at 1268 New York Avenue in Huntington Station; revitalize the Huntington Station area through the Take Back the Blocks initiative, and implement the goals of Horizons 2020, the town's master plan.
Meanwhile, the town is seeking to boost the proposed $13.8 million capital budget with an additional $3.7 million in grants, thus allowing the completion of such projects as Breezy Park and the Veterans' Community Center at Soundview, along with continued rehabilitation of the town's infrastructure.
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