Budget Meeting Notes 12/3/12

Budget Meeting few quick notes

The meeting started promptly at 9 am and unfortunately there was no coffee or donuts (there is an item in the budget for refreshments). This marks the 8^th annual budget meetings that we ( Vernon Taxpayers Association ) have covered and we rate this budget meeting as average. Its only rated as average because the discussion were only about Dept operating expenses excluding salaries (employee contracts have not been finalized). As the reader knows salaries constitute 80% of Dept budgets which left not a lot to talk about.  Various Dept heads attending were prepared to talk about their budgets and Dept. needs. The Mayor also was prepared and knowledgeable about this budget which allowed him to run the meeting with confidence.

Police Dept currently have 23 vehicles 9 of which are used for patrol. Two of the patrol vehicles have over 100,000 miles and they requested the replacement of these vehicles. In 2010 the Dept got four new vehicles but the priority is to replace the patrol vehicles. There was a lot of talk about pursuit SUV, software changes ( freeware ) , contracts for IT maintenance, Crime statistics ( surprise here is that thievery at MC skews the towns theft numbers, then again maybe not), Police will be going to twelve hour shifts which should reduce over time expenses ( in the last contract they went to ten hour shifts ). Education expenses will be increasing ( yup that has been in contract for years)

All in all this was a fairly typical Police presentation.

DPW will supply snow removal materials to the lake communities which will increase their budget by 200,000. Mayor mentioned that the 1 million Irene bond has not been totally spent so $400,000 will be re paid (approx 143,000 spent on Cedar Ridge bridge and another 150,000 for Baldwin drainage improvements, set for the spring). The Mayor stated that the Town will not sell the DPW garage so we need to start fixing it ( heat, lighting etc), he also state that the Vernon flats road will be closed soon to all traffic ( may last two years ) and reroute traffic to Church St., truck repairs that are currently outsourced will go to the County and he is not reducing DPW in house repair work. Kelly Bill payments for 2010 will be made in two payments in 2012. Town will apply for a grant to finish Cannistaer paving ( est $520,000) of which the towns share is $220,000.

DPW brought up the fact that Lake Wallkill road needs repair and suggests the town consider reviving the Oil +Stone program ( previous councils raided these funds on a regular basis).

Tax Collection

Politely suggest we disband this Dept. and its functions. Actually their position is against an accelerated tax sale because the town would then own the property and get no taxes ( never really understood this agreement since the properties are not paying taxes now). The regular tax sale will be held in March and it is assumed the delinquents will then pay their taxes since March is a better month to pay delinquent property taxes in.

Tax assessor

Politly suggest we disband this Dept. and its functions. Talked about increase fund to defend against tax appeals to $33,000, Currently the contractual employee makes $48,000 and it was talked about hiring a permanent employee for $55,000 which should work better. Residential tax appeals pending are 25 properties and Commercial properties there are 5 pending. Approx loss of total property values is projected at 30 million.

Finance talked about shared service with MUA which will bring in an extra $25,000 to the town.

Animal Control said their guests have enough food and they get donations from Walmart etc.

Mayor office talked about purchasing a new printer and moving the purchasing agent from Finance to the Mayor office ( Auditor recommendation and perhaps State Statue?)

  (During conversations of the various Dept you are always amazed at how they various accounts are mingles which does not allow true break outs of cost or tracking.                   )