Deerpark Budget Draft Will Have Public Hearing on Thursday

Here are some details from the budget draft.

By David Ofshinsky

Deerpark Town Hall

Deerpark’s 2024 preliminary budget shows the General Fund appropriations increasing by 7.13% from the 2023 adopted budget, rising from $3,825,654 to $4,098,445. Revenues declined 0.22% from $1,987,502 to $1,983,202, and the amount to be offset from unexpended balances increased by 48.03%, from $608,000 to $900,000. This resulted in a 1.37% decrease in the amount to be raised by taxes, from $1,232,152 to $1,215,243.

For the Highway Fund, appropriations increased by 9.34%, from $2,022,882 to $2,211,809. Revenues decreased by 20.34%, from $775,700 to $617,957, and the amount to be offset from unexpended balances increased from $0 to $355,000, leading to a 0.67% decrease in the amount to be raised by taxes, from $1,247,182 to $1,238,852.

For the Special Districts- Cuddebackville Fire #1, Sparrowbush Fire #2, Huguenot Fire #3 and Lighting District #1, total appropriations increased by $36,600, 3.57%, from $1,026,009 to $1,062,609, all of which is raised from taxes.

For elected positions, the combined compensation for the two Town Justices increased from $53,000 to $54,000. The Highway Superintendent’s compensation increased by 5.88%, from $68,000 to $72,000. The four council members’ compensation remained at $12,000 each. Councilman Schock’s non-elected compensation as Deputy Supervisor remained at $10,000. Town Supervisor Gary Spears’ compensation increased by 3.77%, from $53,000 to $55,000. His non-elected compensation as Budget Officer remained at $24,000. Town Clerk Flo Santini’s compensation increased by 3.77%, from $53,000 to $55,000; her non-elected compensation as Tax Collector increased by 5.88%, from $8,500 to $9,000. As Registrar of Vital Statistics, her compensation increased by 10%, from $5,000 to $5,500; as Senior Coordinator it increased by 8.33%, from $6,000 to $6,500; her compensation as Record Management Officer remained at $5,000.

Administrative support for the elected positions had the following increases: Clerk to the Town Supervisor, 3.73%, from $55,702 to $57,782; the two Deputy Town Clerks’ increased by 5.3%, from $21,840 to $23,000 each. The Deputy tax Collector’s pay increased by 7.7%, from 6,500 to $7,000, and a new position of Deputy Highway Superintendent was added at $12,000.

The total of the General Fund, Highway Fund and Special Districts has the preliminary budget appropriations increasing by 7.89%. Revenues decreased by 5.86%, and the amount to be offset from unexpended balances increased from $608,000 to $1,255,000. This resulted in a 1.02% decrease in the amount to be raised by taxes, from $2,479,334 to $2,454,096, and thus would likely have a nominal, if any, impact on taxes for the upcoming year.

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