Grace Proposes Tax Decrease in Proposed 2014 Budget
Ten days before voters will go to the polls, Yorktown Supervisor Michael Grace proposed his tentative 2014 budget last week that includes a 1.65% tax decrease for the majority of town residents.
This year, the town benefitted from an $800,000 savings by switching to a new garbage company. Next year, Grace is proposing using more than $1.7 million from the town’s sewer and water funds, which he maintained during a press conference at Town Hall Friday was appropriate.
“The number one issue for everyone is taxes, taxes, taxes. We have to do everything we can to relieve that burden. It’s very difficult for people out there,” Grace said of town taxes, which, combined with the special district refuse and fire district costs, totals about 15% of a property owner’s total tax bill.
“This is your money that the town is hoarding with no plan for it. It’s not our money. We need to give it back,” Grace remarked about the sewer and water fund balances. “You’re taxing people today for the future of taxpayers.
Spending in the $54.3 million budget increased due to increases in pension, health care and workers compensation costs, along with the settlement of PBA and CSEA contracts. Meanwhile, assessed values dropped $320,825 due to low real estate values, and small claims property tax grievances and certioraris.
“These are fixed costs we can’t do anything about,” Grace maintained. “In doing a budget you have to do a little crystal balling.”
Councilman Nick Bianco, who is running to unseat Grace, contended there were several errors in the supervisor’s spending plan, including $300,000 missing for a debt payment, and some questionable revenues, such as $900,000 in water sales, which would constitute a 16% in water rates that has never been discussed with the Town Board.
“This proposed budget shortchanges the people of Yorktown. Everyone knows that you can pay your bills with your savings account and your credit cards, but no sensible person does that,” Bianco said. “Sooner rather than later you’re going to end up paying the price. It can get you reelected, but for the rest of us it’s the short road to ruin.”
“One should not raid the reserve funds. Reserve funds are also called emergency funds. For a very good reason,” he added. “Not long ago we had an April 1 ice storm. But this was no joke. No FEMA money, it was all on us. Every other year now we’re seeing once-in-a-century storm. We can plan for it, but a part of the planning has to be a realistic emergency fund.”
The Town Board is scheduled to meet with department heads to discuss the budget on November 14 and 15. A public hearing is planned for December 11.
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/
