The villages of East Williston and Williston Park both held hearings on their tentative 2016-17 budgets April 4, and swore in their elected trustees following this year’s village board election.
East Williston unanimously approved a total general fund revenue of $2.5 million and its neighbor Williston Park presented their total general fund of $6 million, however did not take a vote due to Mayor Paul Ehrbar saying the village board is still holding discussions on the budget—which is projected to pierce the tax cap for the fourth time.
“Our village board is working very hard in putting this budget together,” Ehrbar said.
According to Ehrbar, the state tax cap this year for the village is 0.12 percent, or roughly $9,300, and the village has come up with a budget that has an increase of 2 percent, which he said will allow Williston Park to maintain their services and equipment needs.
“Inside staff has not increased in the past six years while their daily requirements continues to increase, and outside staff has lost some members who have not been replaced, yet we still maintain our quality of life,” Ehrbar said. “We’re hoping to continue doing that with our tentative budget.”
The village board approved a local law allowing themselves the ability to override the tax cap in March, when Ehrbar remarked that it would be “extremely difficult” to remain under the cap this year.
The proposed tax levy for Williston Park is $4,889,778 from last year’s $4,793,693, representing a total increase of $96,085.
The total increase in the general fund appropriations are $155,085, representing 2.64 percent. Some notable increases in the village’s general fund are $65,857 in their employee benefits, which is largely attributed to a $56,000 increase in hospital, medical and dental; $17,819 in their auxiliary police budget; $22,250 in their transportation highway maintenance budget; and $22,250 in off-street parking.
Williston Park trustees Michael Uttaro and Billy Carr were sworn in for their reelected terms—both ran uncontested.
East Williston officials stated their budget will remain below the tax cap while maintaining their services and in addition, having participated in the state tax freeze program, residents will be receiving a tax refund check from the state.
For fiscal year 2016-17, East Williston has a total taxable assessed valuation of $2.3 million, a tax levy of $2 million, tax rate of $85.98, percent change in tax rate of 0.775 percent, and a percent change in the tax levy of 1.316 percent. The tax levy increase is $25,979.
The East Williston budget represents a $105,993 increase from their adopted 2014-15 budget of $2.4 million. Included in the budget are funds for extended repair work on sidewalks, which are scheduled to be completed this spring.
Village of East Williston treasurer Michael Delury gave a brief presentation on the budget, saying that village tax rate has consistently dropped since 2012-13, giving round numbers decreasing from 96.2 to 85.9.
“This year, we had some challenges with tax certioraris and settlements, and we’re still remaining under the tax cap,” Delury said.
The village board said their final farewell to now former trustee Robert Vella, who did not seek reelection this year, and is replaced by Anthony Casella, a former mayor of the village.
Casella was sworn in, as well as trustee Christopher Siciliano, who ran for reelection.
