Proposed 2016 White Plains Budget Sees Small Levy Increase
By Andrew Vitelli – The White Plains Budget Department has proposed a $165.9 million general fund budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, a $3 million or 1.8 percent increase from this year’s budget. The property tax levy stayed within the state-mandated tax cap for the fifth consecutive year, with the property tax rate of $200.95 per $1,000 of taxable assessed valuation just .1 percent higher than this year’s rate.
The city’s combined budgets, which include the library, sewer, water and several other funds, saw a $4.6 million, or 2.6 percent, increase to $183.8 million. The budget projects a 2.4 percent, or $1.1 million, drop in sales tax revenue, which city officials say reflects a statewide trend.
“The important thing is that we’re maintaining all the city services at levels comparable to the current year that we’re in, and all mandated expenses are funded,” White Plains Budget Commissioner Michael Genito said Monday in a briefing with reporters. “The major factors impacting our expenditure growth are essentially the labor contracts, which are really step increases in collective bargaining, and contributions to the self-insurance fund” as well as debt-service costs. The New York State budget provided no additional funding and no mandate relief, officials added.
The budget projects a $1.5 million increase in revenue from various licenses and permits. Rates for various permits and licenses, including parking permits, are set to increase.
The budget was presented to city officials at Monday night’s Common Council meeting. The council will now hold a series of meetings to discuss the proposed budget.
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