2020 Tentative budget

[gorja]

Thanks Lee for posting this info and the research behind it.

[Lee Chowaniec]

Budget analysis continued

Taxable property valuations (Town growth)

2009-2012
$2,653,238,845

2013-16
$2,794,202,520 - $140,963,674 increase from 2012

2017-2020
$3,016,663,344 - $222,460,824 increase from 2016

Tax Levy – Amount to be raised by taxation in last year of administration:

2009-2012
$20,797,167

2013-16
$20,826,862 – $29,695 increase from 2012

2017-20 (Tentative Budget)
$23,759,2,332 - $2,932,470 increase from 2016

This proposed budget increases the tax levy by 2.52%; well below the tax cap allowable limit of 4.94% - after adjustments and exclusions.

Town employee wages (Full-time & Part-time)

2012 – 10,893,628
2016 – 11,007,053 (113,424 increase over four years)
2020 – 12,797,316 (Tentative budget) – 1,790,263 increase over four years*

Tax Bills in the ending years of the following town board administrations based on single family residential property in Town assessed at $100,000:

2009-2012
$962.15

2013-2016
$906.75

2017-20
$973.84 (Tentative Budget)

*Hirings, union contract negotiations, Capital Improvement Projects, infrastructure, equipment.

Conclusion

Heavy spending occurred in the past four years because of money made available from increased revenues / investment returns, lower pension contribution obligations because of a healthy stock market, where town employees are now contributing to their health plans, and a growing taxation base through continued town growth.

I believe it is a sound budget and would only ask at the budget hearing on future sustainable growth, amount / percentage of developable land remaining and debt level concerns (where we are now spending $1 million per year on debt principal interest).

[gorja]

Originally posted by Lee Chowaniec:
I believe it is a sound budget and would only ask at the budget hearing on future sustainable growth, amount / percentage of developable land remaining and debt level concerns (where we are now spending $1 million per year on debt principal interest).

I asked this, last year.

The town has been able to increase spending and balance the budget due to the increase in property tax revenue from increased town residential growth. Do you have a guesstimate of the percentage of developable land available to bring in new property tax dollars? And how long would that development be sustainable in bringing in property tax dollars?

They would not attempt to project.

[Lee Chowaniec]

I asked this, last year.


They would not attempt to project.

We both agreed last year that was a question worth asking at the budget public hearing and I appreciate your asking it.

I have been asking some town administrators the same question this year and have only received one response where the individual stated there is a lot of developable land east of Pavement Road and growth would be sustainable for years to come.

When I informed that individual that much of the land east of Pavement Road contain wetlands and are not developable and that adversely impacts sustainable growth and future taxation revenues, the conversation ended.

Lancaster cannot continue to be developed as it has in the past – dumb growth. The extended Moratorium on rezone applications and the town’s hard look on establishing zoning codes that will address past bad practices and address policy that promotes smart growth and sustainability is welcomed.

The election is four weeks away and hopefully candidates will present visionary agendas that consider Lancaster’s future.

[Lee Chowaniec]

The all items CPI increased 1.7 percent for the 12 months ending September.

Almost 70 million retirees will see a 1.6% cost-of-living increase from Social Security in 2020.

The increase amounts to $24 a month for the average retired worker, according to estimates released Thursday by the Social Security Administration. With the adjustment, the estimated average monthly Social Security payment for a retired worker will be $1,460 a month starting in January; $17,520.

Increase in Social Security benefit cost is yet to be announced.

Many retirees will again be dipping into savings, if they have any.

Lancaster retirees will be looking a little more closely at the proposed 2020 budget:

That calls for a spending increase of $1.04 million from last year’s budget – a 2.96% increase.

Where the tax levy increases by 2.52%.

Hoping the tax rate of 2.09% for Town of Lancaster residents - an increase of $19.96 per $100,000 of property assessment – is further reduced by the town board in its final budget.

Where $1.69 million was appropriated from the Fund Balance and Reserves, but where $7,748,897 million remains; money that could be used to drive down the budget.

Where retirees received COLA increases of:

1.7% (2020)
2.8% (2019)
2.0% (2018)

Total town employee wages increased by:

3.40% (2020)
4.61% (2019)
6.13% (2018)

[gorja]

From the Lancaster Bee-

Public involvement in budget process a necessity
In the coming weeks, the Lancaster Town Board is expected to approve its 2020 budget.

With a couple of budget hearings slated for the week, we feel residents should become better acquainted with issues that may have an impact on budget development.

As we have seen in past budget seasons, there are some very passionate opinions in this community about the town and its spending.

Supervisor Johanna Coleman and the town’s department heads have worked together to maintain programs and services while not severely impacting residents through a large increase in the tax levy.

The 2020 proposed budget of approximately $36 million carries an estimated $1 million overall increase from the current year. Additionally, the tax levy, or amount to be raised by taxpayers, is planned to spike to about $7.9 million, which would be a $191,060 increase from the current budget year.

We believe it is imperative for residents to not only understand the challenges, but to also offer suggestions to the Town Board on how to mitigate budget problems and avoid greater financial difficulties and strain.

Too often the public gets involved in the process at too late a time, when no significant changes can be made. It’s beneficial for residents to get involved early when a proposed budget is more fluid.

Public hearings on the tentative and special districts budget are set for Monday, Oct. 21. If there are any concerns, they should be voiced as soon as possible.

We also urge taxpayers to get involved early in the budget development process because their input may benefit a community’s future. Residents should mark on their calendars the upcoming important dates.

A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held at 7:15 p.m. Monday during the municipality’s next board meeting.

There is always a work session a half-hour prior to each meeting, which begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise specified by the town clerk.

The full tentative budget is available for viewing on the town’s website at www.lan casterny.gov. To view the budget, click on “Town Budgets” in the lower right-hand corner of the website.

We hope to see high attendance at future Town Board meetings so that residents allow for their opinions to be heard

I hope they do come. It would be nice to sit back and listen.