2025 Budget: In two separate actions, the Board voted to exceed the 2025 state tax cap and adopt a 2025 Preliminary Budget that will be subject to a public hearing on December 3rd. The hearing starts at 6:30pm.
The Preliminary Budget will increase the “town tax” that includes the General, Highway and Library Funds by 6.68%, or $9.24/month for the typical house assessed at $10,000, down from 8.6% or $12/month in Supervisor Lachterman’s Tentative Budget. The tax rates for most of the other special districts, e.g., sewer, water, refuse, advanced life support, parks, were also lowered. The Preliminary Budget is online at https://www.yorktownny.gov/comptroller/2025-preliminary-budget. Page 4 in the budget book, but page 17 in the pdf file, has the tax rates for each fund. (If you’re not sure what special districts you’re in, go to the Tax Receiver’s page on the town web site, key in your address and access your 2024 town tax bill.)
The resolution adopting the Preliminary Budget included a list of 38 changes that were made to the Tentative Budget. While the total expenditures for the “town tax” in the Preliminary Budget was $702,973 more than the Tentative Budget as a result of last minute additions, e.g., $500,000 more for retirement costs, the actual tax rate was lower because revenue projections were increased and other expenditures were reduced. Before adopting the Preliminary Budget, the Board discussed a few of the changes.
In a power point presentation, the town comptroller explained why the tax cap had to be exceeded. She also highlighted the major expenditure increases in the 2025 budget and measures the town has taken in recent years to reduce expenses.
CREST grant. The Board voted 4-1 to use the $100,000 grant to purchase and install digital sign boards at the library and community center. I voted against the resolution as I thought there were other more important uses for the money. According to the town clerk, the grant should cover virtually the entire cost of the two signs.
Garbage contract termination settlement. In an item not on the agenda, the Board approved a settlement with Competitive Carting and its bonding company over the contract termination. The town will receive $200,000 from the bonding company, $70,000 from Competitive Carting, the town will keep containers left in place by Competitive (said to be worth about $300,000), and it will not pay the last Competitive bill of $300,000.
Energy and solar: During Courtesy of the Floor, three speakers addressed various issues involving ways to reduce the town’s energy costs by considering the purchase of hybrid or electric vehicles, installing solar facilities on town property and the trade off between solar farms vs houses on wooded parcels. The town’s volunteer Climate Smart Committee is looking into town sites that might be suitable for solar installations. During the brief discussion about the pros and cons of hybrid and electric vehicles, it was suggested that department heads compare the various options prior to purchasing new vehicles.
Supervisor Lachterman noted that the town is in the process of purchasing one hybrid vehicle via a grant. Relative to the solar vs house argument, one speaker noted that houses mean people, people are the customers for local stores, stores locate in Yorktown because there are potential customers, and the Board wants to encourage more stores.
Volunteer Boards. Councilwoman Siegel reminded residents about vacancies on several town volunteer advisory boards including: Housing, Conservation, Tree Commission, Heritage Preservation, Zoning and Veterans. Interested residents should send resumes to the supervisor’s assistant: [email protected]
A video of the meeting is available online at https://yorktownny.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1888