Vote Delayed Until This Week on Mt. Pleasant’s $48.3M Budget
Needing more time to consider potential ramifications, the Mount Pleasant Town Board delayed a vote last week on the 2016 town budget.
The board was originally scheduled to approve next year’s spending plan on Dec. 8, but unexpectedly decided to adjourn the public hearing until it holds a special meeting scheduled for tonight (Tuesday) at 8 p.m.
Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi said this year’s budget deliberations have been challenging for the board as it balances the needs of the town while working within the constraints of the tax cap.
Fulgenzi has proposed a $48.3 million budget for next year with a tax rate hike of 8.8 percent and a 2.4 percent tax levy increase. Despite the increases, the Mount Pleasant budget is within the state’s tax cap.
The average homeowner faces a $50 to $100 higher tax bill next year depending on the special districts that are applicable to them, Fulgenzi said.
While the tax rate in the general fund will rise, savings in other areas, such as a $400,000 reduction in the refuse districts, will help to offset some of the increases, he said.
Responding to questions regarding town employee compensation from town resident Ken Noonan, Comptroller Maria Lanjewar said the salary increase for 2015 was 3 percent for union workers. Their contract calls for a 2.5 percent increase next year, she said.
The salaries of elected officials have not risen the past five years.
The town board meeting will take place at Mount Pleasant Town Hall in Valhalla.
