Troy mayor’s proposed budget raises taxes 1.7%

Mayor Patrick Madden on Friday unveiled his proposed 2021 city budget of $75.8 million, which would increase spending by about 1.5 percent and property taxes by 1.7 percent

“We approached this year’s budget preparation with the dual goals of maintaining all city services while shielding the taxpayer from the financial impact of COVID -19 to the greatest degree possible,” Madden said in his budget message addressed to the City Council.

Madden stressed that his fifth proposed budget is “based on verifiable facts and our best understanding of current trends,” which he has described as “fact-based budgeting ” in presenting his previous four budgets to the council and the public.

“Consistent with that approach we have not made any assumptions that there will be assistance from the federal government for states and localities,” said the mayor, a Democrat.

The budget goes to the City Council for review beginning Tuesday. The council will decide whether it wants to amend the budget.

Madden’s proposed budget increases spending to $75.8 million from the 2020 budget of $74.7 million.

The property tax increase brings the city tax rate to $14.89 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. A home assessed at $150,000 will have a city property tax bill of $2,233.50 if the current proposed rate is adopted. That is about $37.22 more per year than 2020, according to the mayor’s budget message.

The tax increase is under the state’s tax levy cap.

The city intends to introduce a “pay-as-you-throw ” garbage collection program and make improvements to several city parks through the capital program.

The mayor’s budget includes a salary increase of about 9.5 percent for Deputy Mayor Monica Kurzejeski. Her salary would go to $88,000 from $80,342 this year. Other members of Madden’s personal staff and most department heads are budgeted to receive 2 percent raises.

Republican City Council President Carmella Mantello said she is reviewing the budget but has concerns about the institution of user fees such as the residential garbage fees disguising tax increases.

“I’m pleased to see that the proposed budget is under the state-mandated tax cap despite the COVID -19 economic shutdown. However, we must keep in mind that over the last several years under the current administration property taxes, garbage fees, and bulk rate fees continue to take over $6 million each year out of the taxpayer’s pocket,” Mantello said.

Councilman Ken Zalewski, D -5th District, the leader of the council’s Democratic majority, said, “I am happy to see that the mayor has presented us with a fiscally responsible budget that not only stays within the tax cap, but also has no reliance on phantom federal aid. I am further encouraged to see some innovations in the way that we provide city services, especially the long-awaited implementation of a pay-as-you-throw system.”

The proposed budget is available at the city website for review.