Town Board members on Thursday, Nov. 6, unanimously approved next year’s budget holding a property tax levy increase of 1.5 percent. The spending plan was unchanged from its preliminary proposal.
Guilderland’s 2015 budget totals $33.32 million and increases spending by 3.52 percent, or $1.13 million, while keeping taxes down through allocating 35 percent more fund balance, totaling $2.31 million. Projected revenues are increasing 2.21 percent, or nearly $429,000, and total $19.8 million.
There was a public hearing held before the Town Board approved the budget, but no residents spoke.
Town Supervisor Ken Runion said next year’s budget was easier to craft than some prior years, with revenues steadily increasing and some state mandates staying nearly flat.
“Every budget is a challenge,” said Runion. “There are various department heads that have different priorities, so all of those have to be weighed and balanced by the board members and myself.”
Runion said part of the increase to the fund balance appropriation is tied to upcoming roof repairs at Town Hall, which are estimated to cost $180,000. Capital improvements scheduled for next year are not being bonded, so fund balances will cover added expenses.
“Our fund balances are very strong so it makes more sense if you can afford to pay for it from now out of current funding rather than try to bond it over a five- or 10-year period and strap up a subsequent administration … with a debt,” said Runion.
The town would still have a healthy fund balance, according to Runion, which has roughly $11 million in it. He said fund balances are built up exactly for such purposes as making necessary repairs.
The largest spending increase across all of the town’s funds was in the Highway Part-Town Fund, which is increasing 3.2 percent and totals almost $4.6 million. Increasing fuel and blacktop material for paving roads was a primary cost escalator, according to Runion.
There was a 2 percent salary increase included for all town employees, along with elected officials, according to Runion.
Runion said the budget was “conservative” and is approximately $224,000 below its state-mandated property levy tax cap.
“We’ve done our job to make sure that the town remains fiscally strong,” Runion said. “We are able to maintain all the services that we had in the past. We are able to meet all our financial obligations. We are able to make needed repairs and improvements to town properties.”
Overall assessed value of property in the town has increased, which is tied to new commercial construction and residential housing developments. The taxable value of properties in the town rose 1.39 percent and totals almost $3.05 billion in next year’s budget.
