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The adopted $11,572,643 budget represents a 1.47 percent increase in the property tax levy for homeowners, approximately $108 per year, though Tuckahoe Mayor Steve Ecklond noted that due to legislation that has been enacted, taxpayers should get that $108 back in a rebate.
The board members spoke of how much easier this budget was than those in recent years past. Three major developments that have either broken ground or are poised to break ground soon, have led to a slight uptick in the local economy.
“This year’s budget process is smoother than it has been in the last few years. Some of that is attributed to the hard work and choices we’ve made over the last few years, and some of it is due to an improving economy,” Ecklond said.
Ecklond noted that he and the budget committee met eight times, mostly on Saturdays, before finalizing the spending plan. Highlights include a 1.57 percent increase in police funding, and additional funding for the Tuckahoe Public Library, which will now increase hours and operate a complete Saturday schedule.
“This budget was not balanced on the back of our village’s dedicated workforce and it was done without compromising our safety and security,” Trustee Greg Luisi said. “Our Police Department will receive the most up to date training and equipment, and the library has been allocated sufficient funds to get a full Saturday schedule.”
In addition to the increased funding for some of Tuckahoe’s core departments, for the first time in years, the trustees approved a 2 percent raise foe village employees whose positions were not part of collective bargaining. The position of village administrator was also created, and will be filled after a search.
Village Treasurer John Pintos said that while things are looking rosier today than they were three years ago, there’s still plenty of work to be done.
“The budget is the culmination of a lot of hard work and tough decisions by the mayor, board and department heads,” he said. “I’m not going to say the future is bright and rosy, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not an oncoming locomotive.”
You can view the entire budget adoption meeting above. Do you approve the adopted budget? Vote in our poll and continue the conversation in the comments section.
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