An updated version of the tentative Saratoga County 2013 budget presented at a Monday, Dec. 3, public hearing at the county offices lowers the proposed property tax hike.
“The tentative budget we introduced on Oct. 31 reduced overall spending by $5 million from last year,” said Charlton Supervisor Alan Grattidge. “It also maintained our low property tax rate and implemented a decisive program to restore the county’s financial stability. Over the past month, the Board of Supervisors amended the tentative budget and I’m proud to report we’ve made a number of improvements.”
Grattidge said they were able to reduce the proposed property tax levy by more than $500,000, which would bring the projected levy increase of 2.6 percent down to 1.6 percent.
Grattidge said the board found savings by switching health insurance providers and recognizing the revenue the county would receive from the sewer district in exchange for the county-owned landfill in Northumberland. The county hopes for at least $4 million in revenue resulting from a private company either purchasing or operating the landfill. Three firms have submitted proposals.
County Administrator Spencer Hellwig addressed other highlights of the amended budget and explained how the savings were achieved.
“Compared against the 2012 adopted budget of $205.6 million, the board has lowered overall spending by 2 percent, or just over $5 million,” said Hellwig.
Hellwig pointed out that state mandates would add up to $97.5 million next year, or 124 percent of property tax levy, negating the savings achieved by the county.
One of the actions taken to reduce spending was to defund 95 county positions. This included 33 in the General Fund, 15 in the Public Works Fund and 47 positions at Maplewood Manor. Hellwig said though many positions at Maplewood Manor would be taken off the books, that would translate to only about four layoffs.
“The 47 positions will be achieved through a combination of retirements and existing vacancies,” said Hellwig. “This should limit actual layoffs of between zero to four employees depending on additional vacancies and retirements by the end of the year.”
Maplewood Manor has been scrutinized by the county because it loses about $10 million a year. The board recently made a controversial decision to privatize the nursing home and formed a local development corporation to seek a company with which to form an agreement.
Town of Ballston Supervisor Patti Southworth raised concerns about Maplewood Manor, saying because the amended budget anticipates that deal and plans to borrow money based on the equity of the nursing home building.
“How can they borrow funds when they haven’t even had their first meeting?” asked Southworth. “Saratoga County can’t borrow money against a public entity, but an LDC can.”
Another highlight of the amended budget is in sales tax. Receipts are budgeted at $110.7 million, a 3 percent increase over last year’s budget. The highway fund’s budget was also reduced by $5.6 million from the 2012 budget, or a 24 percent change. Southworth questioned that decision.
We have been cutting the highway budget for several years now,” she said. “The highway infrastructure and bridges are starting to get in questionable condition. You should never play catch up with something that impacts peoples’ lives like bridges and highways.”
