Troy votes to adopt 2019 budget

New garbage fund, repairs planned for ice arena, pools

In a 4-3 party line vote, the City Council on Thursday night approved a $73.5 million budget with a 1.4 percent tax increase for 2019 and also created a new garbage fund for the city’s trash fees.

Mayor Patrick Madden hailed the budget as realistic and was glad to see it approved on time.

The three-member Republican minority had attempted to cut it by nearly $250,000.

The council agreed unanimously on approving more than $8 million in bonding resolutions for various purchases including $6.3 million to repair or replace the close Knickerbacker Park Ice Arena, the South Troy Pool and the Knickerbacker Park Pool.

Madden said the city would attempt to secure grants to reduce the costs of the bonds to taxpayers. The city expects to hear, the mayor said, on Dec. 18, whether it will receive a state grant toward the $1.1 million costs to replace the ice rink’s malfunctioning equipment.

The city intends to seek bids to repair the South Troy Pool before the start of summer, the mayor said. The estimated costs for this project is $1.4 million.

The three Republicans and the four Democrats agreed to approve a $3.8 million bond to finance the reconstruction of the Knickerbacker Park Pool.

The Democrats and Republicans split over the $164 trash fee. The Republicans said they would push in early 2019 to find a way to hold a public referendum on the fee.

If they were successful, which the Democrats said is impossible under state law, it would go on the ballot during the 2019 mayoral an council elections.

Democrats said they expect Madden to seek re-election for a second term. City Council President Carmella Mantello is the only potential mayoral candidate that the city GOP has discussed.