Mayor's Message

May 2009

ADOPTED BUDGET FOR FISCAL 2009-10
Tax Increase 1.96%

The tentative budget that was presented on April 6, 2009 proposed a tax increase of 1.35%.  Further budget discussions, however, indicated a need to adjust several expenditure lines.  One line in particular was in the Department of Public Works where we needed to address the Federal mandate for the use of reflective gear.  The adopted budget will equate to a 1.96% tax increase to our residents.  The new tax rate is $58.86 per $100 of assessed valuation.

In today’s environment, we, along with you, face many challenges with budgeting.  The Village’s health insurance premiums continue to rise.  Based on the projections we received from our provider, premiums may increase by as much as 9.5%.  Estimated premiums from the New York State Retirement System indicate that our pension payments will again total over $600,000. 

Due to current market conditions, we have had to drastically reduce funding from revenue sources such as the mortgage tax collection and interest on investments.  These two areas alone reflect a drop in our anticipated revenues of $190,000.   In the past, the village has received a portion of the sales tax collected by Nassau County.  We have been informed of the potential cut in that funding amounting to a loss of approximately $24,000.
 
There are, of course, many lines in this budget that we can control.  We have received total cooperation from every department which is reflected in either a decrease of their operating expenses or a very modest increase.   

The review of our phone services continues to reflect savings in all phone lines.  Our continuing analysis of the village’s liability policies again netted a savings of approximately $16,000 and resulted in the lowest premiums that we have paid since 2003.

All departments actively pursue grant opportunities.  The Police Department continues to receive DWI and seat belt enforcement grants.   The Library has been awarded a construction grant in the amount of $20,000.  The Justice Court office again received funding, and this year’s grant provided for office equipment and furniture.  Thanks to the support of Senator Skelos, we were able to renovate the Malverne Train Station at no cost to the Village.  Senator Skelos also provided funding for Phase 1 and 2 of our downtown beautification project.  Assemblyman Barra’s support provided for new lighting at Westwood Park and the purchase of bleachers at Harris Field.  The beautification to Honor Roll Park was the result of Legislator Becker’s sponsorship.  We have also received notification from Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy that the Village will receive $380,000 to continue with our downtown revitalization program.

We are projecting that the current budget will end with a surplus and have used approximately $770,000 from the fund balance to offset the operating expenses which contributes to the moderate 1.96% increase in tax collection.

The adopted budget is an efficient and effective budget that will provide our residents with the services that they have come to know.  I would like to thank our budget director, Trustee Joseph Hennessy, Deputy Mayor James Callahan, Trustee Michael Bailey, Trustee John O’Brien, and our Village Clerk, Terry Emmel, for the countless hours they spent drafting this document.  Copies of the adopted budget are available at Village Hall.  An electronic version will also be available on the web site within the next week.