Officials Begin P’ville Village Budget Review; 1.4% Tax Hike Projected
Pleasantville village officials are projecting a 1.4 percent tax increase for the 2015-16 fiscal year in its $14.6 million budget as the public review process was launched earlier this week.
Village Administrator Patricia Dwyer said the $14,678,433 in spending, would be an increase of $857,556 or 6.2 percent over the current year. The largest budget increases are in the general government support ($334,189) and community services ($339,775) lines.
Public safety will see a 3 percent increase, a result of new police hires and promotions. The village was also scheduled to begin new contract negotiations with the Police Benevolent Association this week.
On the revenue side, Dwyer said parking fees will likely be raised by 25 cents per hour. She suggested that commercial building permit fees may also need to be hiked to generate additional revenue. Dwyer anticipates that growth in the village will generate more fees.
Outgoing Trustee Jonathan Cunningham said that supporting new development, despite some opposition, is crucial in keeping the village in strong financial shape.
“Growth is absolutely crucial now to keeping you guys out of the frying pan,” he said. “Do not play games with it. Embrace the growth and go with it. I think that’s the only way to get out of this.”
Cunningham, who will be leaving the board next week, voiced concern about Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed property tax circuit breaker, which would provide a rebate to residents whose taxes exceed 6 percent of their income. He feared that local governments will struggle under its restrictions or residents will be upset should municipalities be forced to exceed the cap to make necessary improvements.
The village has already received payments in lieu of recreation in connection with several projects, including Toll Brothers’ condominiums and development of the former Maher Funeral Home site, both on Washington Avenue. Currently, developers proposing the addition of apartments to a formerly abandoned building at 98 Washington Ave. are before the planning board. If that project gains approval, the village would receive another $17,500 in recreation fees.
During the village board’s Monday night work session, Recreation Department Superintendent Linda Bellofatto discussed several improvements that would require village funding for the upcoming year. She hopes to install a permanent bathroom at Parkway Field for about $30,000 if the facility can be constructed using the plumbing from the property’s field house. An additional $29,000 is needed for work on the recreation center on Marble Avenue.
Bellofatto explained that the department is considering the installation of new lights at municipal fields, which could be controlled remotely through a computer program. The new fixtures, which would be part of a 10-year agreement, would cost $9,300.
Recreation fees could also be used for services at the Clinton Street Senior Center. The center’s director, Joni Ehrlich, said several improvements are needed during the upcoming year. An additional part-time position should be added to meet the increasing demand for new art and cultural programs, Ehrlich said. The center needs a new vehicle to replace its current Ford Taurus, which is old and uncomfortable for seniors.
Ehrlich said she is exploring the purchase of a seven-seat van for about $30,000. Trustee Colleen Griffin-Wagner suggested that the senior center could partner with the Pleasantville School District, which is considering a vehicle to transport special education students. That would reduce costs and count toward the shared services requirement in Cuomo’s tax freeze proposal. However, Trustee Steve Lord was concerned about scheduling conflicts.
“It always looks good on paper until the two people sharing [the vehicle] need it at the same time,” he said.
Village trustees will continue to meet with various department heads to discuss departmental budgets. A public hearing on the proposed 2015-16 budget will take place on Apr. 13 at 8 p.m. The new fiscal year begins on June 1.
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