Clifton Park shrinks spending
Despite downturn due to virus, paving, vehicle purchases are planned
Though the town is facing economic challenges posed by the pandemic, town Supervisor Phil Barrett said it was able to decrease its budget spending for 2021, keep its highway tax flat and its EMS tax modest. In his budget announcement, Barrett said the town is proposing to reduce its general fund budget for 2021 to $18.08 million, a drop of $177,691 from 2020 adopted budget.
The highway budget for 2021 will also drop by 1 percent to $5.75 million. That will result in a zero increase in the highway tax, which will remain at 30.82 cents per $1,000 assessed value. For a home assessed at $250,000, the highway tax is proposed to be $77.05 a year.
The highway budget includes money for paving, about $1.1 million, and funds to purchase vehicles and equipment. The EMS tax rate will increase from 25.19 cents to 27.48 cents per $1,000 assessed value in 2021. For a home assessed at $250,000, the EMS tax is proposed to be $68.70 per year.
Barrett also said that Moody's upgraded Clifton Park from Aa2 to Aa1 rating and the state comptroller gave the town a superior score on its Fiscal Stress Monitoring test. He also said that the town has a $5.3 billion tax base.
“Everyone wants low taxes with a positive outlook, wellfunded schools, important ser
vices close to home, plentiful parks and recreational facilities and superior programs and activities for people of all ages,” Barrett said. “Growing our commercial tax base through valuable redevelopment projects and conservative budgeting practices as described by Moody’s, has placed the town in a position to navigate difficult economic conditions and provide stability for the residents of Clifton Park.”
Barrett also said the town will continue to invest in infrastructure, trails and parks. The 2021 budget also includes funds for a new phone system.
“The 2021 budget process will be a continuation of how our team operates on a daily basis,” Barrett’s statement read. “We are continually analyzing operations for areas of opportunity leading to increased efficiency and expense reductions.”
Barrett concluded that despite difficult fiscal challenges, "the town of Clifton Park continues to maintain a strong fiscal position.”