Mount Kisco Approves $20.3M Village Budget; Taxes to Rise 2%
The Mount Kisco Village Board unanimously approved a $20.3 million 2013-14 general fund budget last week.
The budget, which includes a tax levy increase of 1 percent, increases the tax rate for property owners by 1.99 percent. In March, Village Manager James Palmer had proposed a $20.4 million budget with a tax rate increase of 3.5 percent. The new fiscal year begins on June 1.
Since last month, the village board held a series of work sessions to trim spending. Some savings will be derived from the village delaying the hire of three additional police officers after a new class graduates from the police academy, Mayor Michael Cindrich said. Cindrich said he anticipated the new officers to start in December. It was not mentioned how much the village would save by holding off on hiring the new officers for part of the year.
The budget also includes $70,000 from the village’s tax stabilization fund, Palmer said.
The fund is a designated reserve derived from higher than projected revenues or unused money from various lines and is used to help offset the tax burden for property owners.
“I think our decisions were prudent,” Cindrich said prior to the April 15 budget vote.
He said while the Mount Kisco economy is improving, there are still financial burdens facing the village as a result of unfunded state mandates, including spiraling employee pension costs, lower property values and less state and federal aid.
“We’re doing all we can to keep taxes low,” Cindrich said.
Trustee Anthony Markus said he and his colleagues have taken a variety of steps to cut costs in the upcoming year, although the village needs to do more to reduce spending, including the consolidation of services. The village is still exploring police consolidation with Westchester but is waiting to hear back from the county.
”I think it makes sense in this particular area,” he said.
Trustee Jean Farber agreed with Markus regarding police consolidation. The village board looked at every line for additional cost savings, she said. The need to hold down spending where possible and stay within the tax cap was not taken lightly, Farber said.
Trustee Karen Schleimer praised the efforts of the village’s Finance Committee, chaired by Markus, for its input.
“He did an incredible job,” Schleimer said of Markus.
Deputy Mayor George Griffin Jr. said he is careful when considering how to spend taxpayers’ money.
“I treat it as if it’s coming out of my pocket,” he said.
Despite the challenges and the nearly 2 percent tax increase, Griffin called Mount Kisco “the most affordable community in Westchester.”
