The ‘real’ preliminary budget is now on the town website for review. The one that was supposed to be presented to the public for review before the public hearing, for public comment. Not the piecemeal tentative budget with a ‘correction’ addendum; a correction addressed at the public hearing and without definitive monetary numbers and a complete budget presented for review.

Still confused as whether this is the ‘preliminary’ budget or the ‘final’ budget which will be approved on November 7th – without further revisions.

The bottom line is that despite higher spending higher revenues and other budget tweaks results in a tax bill for Lancaster Town & Village residents lower than the tentative budget

Town of Lancaster

Assuming single family residential property in town assessed at $100,000:

$8.00 increase (0.99%) – from $809 to $817.

Tentative Budget: $9 increase, 1.11%.

Village of Lancaster

Assuming single family residential property in village assessed at $100,000:

$3 increase (0.15%) – from $507 to $510.

Tentative Budget: $4 increase, 0.71%.

Village of Depew

Assuming single family residential property in village assessed at $100,000:

$15 increase (7.35%) – from $204 to $219

Tentative Budget: $17 increase, 8.33%

Comment

A very fiscally responsible budget, especially in this inflationary climate. However, yet to be determined:

Does this budget presentation cover funding for costs for yet to be settled union contracts – wage & benefits? All line items ‘blank,’

Is Covid stimulus money being used to offset town employee contract wage & benefit increases? A one-shot? For four years? Where can the federal stimulus funding be found in the budget? What impact has this federal largess have on future budgets?

Again, is this the preliminary budget that should have been put up to the public for review at the public hearing, or the ‘final’ budget (with no further revisions) at the November 7th meeting? The last meeting before legal due date.