Deerpark 2025 Budget Passed Amid Questions
The budge increased by $66,634 from 2024 for reasons that were left unclear.
By David Ofshinsky
A public hearing on the 2025 Deerpark budget was held in Deerpark’s Town Hall on November 7. Speaking first, this reporter noted that the amount shown for the 2025 Preliminary Budget is $66,634 higher than the 2024 Adopted Budget according to the Town website. The bulk of the difference appears to be in the Police Department budget, which is $65,634 higher than what is shown on the 2024 Adopted Budget. This made assessing changes between the two years difficult.
I asked about the number of part time police officers and their compensation, noting that the 2024 budget listed 15 part time officers at a cost of $400,000, while four part time officers at a cost of $200,000 is shown for 2025.
Town Supervisor Gary Spears responded that he was uncertain about the source of difference between the 2024 and 2025 budget amounts, and that it was perhaps due to a budget modification by the accountant. He said he and his staff would look into it. Regarding the part time positions, Spears noted that an additional full time position was created, allowing for fewer part time officers, who would each have more hours.
Resident Grace Woodard asked the Town Board whether the budget contained any funds for planning, noting that the Town’s current Comprehensive Plan was completed in 2003 and that the state recommends that it be updated every 10 years.Â
Woodard also had questions about the Town Clerk and the extra compensation she receives for other duties. She noted that in addition to her pay as Town Clerk, Flo Santini is compensated for being Tax Collector, Registrar of Vital Statistics, Senior Coordinator and Record Management Officer. Woodard asked how her hours are being tracked and if any overtime pay is involved.
Woodard’s final questions were about the Building Department. She noted that in 2023, the Town Board had approved hiring Farr Engineering as a separate building inspector to oversee activity at Dragon Springs. She asked if this was in the budget, and what, if any, activity has taken place.
Supervisor Spears replied that nothing has been budgeted for planning, as the 10 year update of the Comprehensive Plan is just a recommendation. He said that the Town Clerk is paid stipends for her additional duties, and no overtime is involved.
As for Farr Engineering, Spears said that any payments to them for overseeing activity at Dragon Springs would be paid out of escrow funds Dragon Springs would provide for any projects, and thus it is not a budget item. He also noted that no activity at Dragon Springs had required this.
He also said that while the tax levy shows a 1.08% increase, homeowners probably won’t see taxes going up, as the addition of new homes to the tax roll could mitigate any increase.
Once the public hearing ended, the Town Board voted unanimously to approve the preliminary budget as the adopted budget for 2025.
Community focused news can only succeed with community support. Please consider the various subscription levels.