It's that time again .... THE BUDGET IS DUE
ANOTHER FINANCIAL PRESENTATION TO THE WASHINGTONVILLE PUBLIC RECEIVED SUPPORT, IDEAS SOME "WELL DONE' COMMENTS AND A FEW "BOO's" OVER PROPOSED SALARY INCREASES
A formal Presentation and lengthy discussion were held on Monday evening, including dotting every "i" and crossing every "t" in the Village of Washingtonville's budget. In normal years one would think a municipality's budget would be relatively straightforward. But because of the disastrous condition the Village's finances were in when this administration took office, this one is very complicated. Their finances have been under the microscope of auditors and the State Comptroller's Office, and the oversight during the time it has taken to get back on an even keel is not quite over. In the hole for several million dollars because of bills that had not been paid in a timely manner before they took office, and with large boxes of receipts not filed and bills to sort, the Village's Mayor and Trustees' new jobs quickly went from Part-Time to Full-Time and included many evenings and weekends.
During 2023-24, dozens of boxes of receipts and vendor letters were sorted and filed by the board in efforts to rebuild a semblance of correct documentation. Now everything is properly recorded in their Edmonds Computer Accounting Program
Grant monies for the sewer system were almost lost for lack of documentation. But the team went to work, and got a $4.2M loan to give them a chance to get the Village finance house back in order, fixed most of the missing documentation and consequently received grant money for it. Given that the Village was in a crisis condition financially when they took office, salaries were cut to a bare minimum and office positions that became empty when the previous administration left, with the exception of Village Clerk Christine Shenkman, remained empty. This new budget includes another attempt to fill several of those office positions.
The loan has a contingency that only what they absolutely need may be used. During this year it is expected that the temporary "band loans" will change to "Bonds", and the interest rate is likely to decrease from 7% to 5 or 6%.
This budget may or may not be finalized exactly as presented since the State Comptroller's office will review it again within 5 days of the due date, putting yet more stress to have every detail in perfect order, and practically speaking, leaving only a day or 2 to share any changes with the public. Still, the board is making every effort to keep the process transparent.
The total budget as it currently stands in the General Fund is $7,583,550. Real Property tax revenue is $5,393,550, a 14.93% increase. The Mayor added that if you excluded the debt payment of $374,273 the tax levy increaase would be 6.95%.
The entire document is online on the Village's website, the public hearing video is available as well, and paper copies are available at Village Hall for anyone requesting them, and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor encouraged anyone with questions about how their taxes are calculated, or suggestions to come in and speak with them.
Key items that caught the public's attention were 1. An overall tax increase of 14% and an increase in the Mayor and Trustees' salaries (Mayor from $15k to $40k, Deputy Mayor from $12k to $14, and 3 Trustees from $10k to $12k.) Questioned particularly about the Mayor's increase he explained that to do the job the right way requires a minimum of functioninng as a full-time job. His challenges, in addition to the many hours of correcting the condition of the financial records and changing from Quik Books to Edmunds (so they can easily generate proper quarterly reports and compare line items from month to month and from the current year to the previous year).
When the major problems became evident they were able to obtain assistance from Senator Skoufis to get the State Loan. Meanwhile, throughout the year the Village was busy obtaining a number of grants and has applied for additional ones
$100,000 in DOT Grants
$4,999 from Orange County for Community Events
$250,000 State Grant for a DPW Sweeper
$2,500 Greene County Bank
$175,000 Grant for Police Department
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Grant Income Obtained to date - $532,499
In addition, they made $66,000 interest on a portion of the unused loan they were able to put into a NYCLASS Money Market fund. Because of the good work they have done getting finances back in better condition the State gave them a $308,000 grant to help make up for the money spent on the loan's interest.
Speaking to Mayor DeVinko today, he said that additional grants that they have written are "in the pipeline", but have not yet been officially approved.
A Short List of Mayor &Trustee facilitated events
They have, in addition to regular functionning of the Mayor's office and responsibilities functioned to support a Calendar of Events for the community that include, among others: Fourth of July Independence Event, Whoville, Witchingtonville, and Easter's "Wabbitville", some of which bring thousands from out of town to participate.Fundraising has continued for the Flags for Heroes program. Cherry Trees have been donated and by loved ones and planted along Ahern Boulevard by Scouts (with a little help from the DPW and family members. Even while getting back on an even keel financially, the
one thing Villagers want to make sure they don't lose is their Community Spirit and the activities that strengthen their bond.
A lot of work and documentation has turning the idea of a Sewell Park into a reality. Because it is a floodplain FEMA area, engineering studies had to be done in order to get FEMA approval for some limited activities that will be able to be held there. It is hoped that relatively soon permission will be given for a small bandstand and events. Meanwhile, Trees for Tribs planted a whole line of trees a few feet from the banks to prevent erosion during wet periods and heavy storms.
And then there were the Pickleball Courts that took off like a storm. They are a huge sucess, and residents said "We need more courts!!" Fortunately work on the Parks is largely funded by required donations from housing developers. The Town is also getting ready to complete more Pickleball adjacent to May's Field.
Six of the most significant costs contributing to the 14.5 % increase in taxes
1. A significant portion of the Village's financial year was consumed by catching up on significant bills that were not paid in a timely way by the previous administration.
2. Because of the Comptroller's tight oversight, every bill had to be paid quickly, and they were told that the State "frowns on putting any unexpected income in a "Rainy Day" or "Contingency" account, but they have rather earmarked some of it for anticipated bills. But soon they will be able to find out how to set up a contingency fund that is acceptable to the State.
3. Roof replacement work at the sewer building had some necessary changes that resulted in a cost increase for the project which is currently under construction.
Health coverage for the majority of Village staff, including most departments but excluding the Board skyrocketed with over a 30% increase. Board members do not receive state healthcare coverage.
5. There had been NO tax increases for the 6 years prior, leaving the budget they inherited in deficit on top of the stack of unpaid bills.
6. Money and resources were being lost due to faulty water meters with no
automatic reading system and water was lost due to leaks that the former metering protocol did not highlight. The new metering system is costly
but in the long run will save the village a great deal of money, because the reading will be automatic and will not require DPW or Water Dept. staff to walk the streets to check them. Additional money will be saved because any system leaks will immediately be notified to staff and water will not be wasted. Additional money was saved by having the new meter installations done in house by DPW staff.
7. "CHIPS" Highway Department funding was cut by $120,000 of what was expected from the state, and had been relied on to complete pending projects.
While a handful of attendees at the Public Hearing complained about the Mayor and Trustee salary increases and tax increase and several stated that they thought it should be put to the public on a referendum, Mayor DeVinko said that many more came up to him saying the salary increase seemed necessary and well-earned, and that it was impressive that they had cleaned up 4 to 5 years of major problems in just 2 years.
$2.4 million of the State Loan remains in bands but will probably be able to be converted to bonds in the coming year, at a lower interest. During this loan period, the Village may NOT use any of it that isn't absolutely necessary, not even for a "Rainy Day" or "Contingency" fund.
Brandon Kennedy, the Village's Auditor said that he is very confident that the State will give them a positive report, when the Budget is submitted in February and the AFC report is submitted in March-April for the first time in a very long time. The Comptroller's Office review and oversight is geared to ensure that the Village's needs can be met as well as the loan payments made on time.
As for Mayor DeVinko's increase in salary from $15,000 to $40,000, opinions were mixed. Now that it is clearly a full time job, many think it deserves full time pay. Different salary sources vary a little, but according to averages of Village Mayors in New York, according to Salary.com, they vary from $53,000 to $77,000 which would suggest that his increase is right in line.
Top on the Washingtonville Financial Agenda for 2025, the Village will delve deep into improve cost-cutting, improve efficiency AND look for areas where they might produce additional income!. A few ideas, to begin with, are combining Village and Town services in some areas. Highway services and building department services are already somewhat shared and the IMA (Intermunicipal Agreement) stipulates how the sharing functions. DeVinko thanked Blooming Grove Highway Superintendent Wayne Kirkpatrick and said that their help had saved them 50% on equipment costs (not to mention being practically within earshot if there was an emergency.) They will also look into whether an IMA (Intermunicipal Agreement) can be set up with the Town re. Courts. He added that "This budget is very tight. We are not spending any money that we don't have to."
Above: County Executive Steve Neuhaus leads an early trail walk along a part of the new trail that stretches betweeen the Town of Blooming Grove and the Village of Washingtonville. (In the lead behind Neuhaus are Town Councilmember Steve Amante and County Planner Alan Sorensen.)
This portion of the Trail extends behind Fulton Square and May's Field in the
center of Washingtonville. The area around Fulton Square will be a great place to supply hikers with their outdoor needs. One of numerous bridges that will be getting repaired this year is currently impeding travel along it a short way North from May's Field, but it is still used for afternoon walks and is expected to be tackled by the County soon.
In terms of improving income to balance increasing costs, the beginning extension and redevelopment of the Schunnemunk Rail Trail that will be worked on as early as this Spring could bring significant Tourism income and activity along Main Street shops as the area's multitude of hiking groups and photographers take to the Trail.
Community Event Committee
Another related potential source of additional income is to tweak the extremely popular Village Events Program. Its committee has done an outstanding job of providing events that the public loves, but residents at the Budget Hearing wondered if there could be some additional charges, at least to make some Village income from it, and offset the DPW and Police Department overtime the busy Events Calendar requires.
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