Town proposes $4.8 million budget

Town Board members are reviewing a proposed $4.8million budget for 2021, a 2.74percent increase of $128,076.

Town Board members are reviewing a proposed $4.8 million budget for 2021, carrying a 2.74 percent increase of $128,076.

The spending plan is being discussed during a series of meetings scheduled for 1 p.m. on Oct. 15, 20 and 22.

Under the budget, there would be a $2.56 million property tax levy representing a 1.57 percent increase of $39,543.

In a budget message,

Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia noted that state aid revenues are uncertain during the coming year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Revenue projections are set by looking at the average of the past three years of receipts minus any fluke one-time windfalls,” she wrote. “COVID-19 has caused some revenue loss, especially in our sales tax share and interest on savings. Aside from sales tax, I left revenue projections flat in expectation of the continuance of a strong building and real estate sales market in the town.”

Salaries in the budget include supervisor at $33,150, for a 2 percent increase of $650; four Town Board members at a total of $34,680, for a 2 percent increase of $680; highway superintendent at $55,080, for a 2 percent increase of $1,080; and town clerk at $52,328, for 2 percent increase of $1,026.

Changes in the proposed budget include:

• Employee benefits at $530,399 for a 6.7 percent increase of $33,324.

• Highway general repairs at $344,800, for a 16.92 percent decrease of $70,200.

• Snow removal at $216,837, for a 43.7 percent increase of $65,937.

• Capital projects at $206,000, for an 11.65 percent increase of $21,500.

• Highway machinery at $148,224, for a 1.39 percent decrease for a $2,082.

• Pool expenses at $148,884, for a 10.28 percent increase of $13,881.

• Cemetery costs of $138,605, for a 7.52 percent increase of $9,697.

• Safety inspections at $127,767, for a 40.79 percent increase of $37,014.

• Zoning costs of $123,115, for a 3.06 percent increase of $3,652.