Smaller Increase Expected in 2006 Town Budget

Police Force Honored

by Harriet Kline

(October 25, 2005) At its regular meeting on October 19, 2005, the Town of Mamaroneck Board honored many members of its police force and unveiled a “tentative” 2006 year budget with smaller increases than those of recent years.

Town of Mamaroneck Police Honorees: (l to r) Chief Richard Rivera, Sgt. Nelson Flores, Detective Thomas Gisin, PO Robert Ashley, Lt. Robert Koziak, Detective Robert Reynolds, Sgt. Thomas Houlahan, Lt. J. Michael Cindrich, PO Anthony Hoffmann, PO Gregory Comito, Lt. Gerald Mc Carthy. Photo courtesy of Mary Stanton

Tentative Budget

Taxpayers should see a relatively small increase or even a decrease in their Town of Mamaroneck taxes this year, if the final budget looks anything like the tentative budget presented by Town Administrator Steve Altieri last Wednesday evening.

In his explanation to the Town Board, Mr. Altieri described the tentative 2006 budget based on proposals from the various departments. The early numbers show the total Town budget to be $26,206,960, an increase of $908,110 or 3.6% from the final budget adopted for 2005.

The budget would still increase for 2006, but by less than in recent years. Between 2003 and 2004, the budget went up $1,523,130 or 6.7%. Between 2004 and 2005, the rise was slightly less - $1,167,880 or 4.8%.

The 2006 final budget could be even tighter than the tentative, if the Town Board follows the pattern of recent years. Past boards have been able to shave a percentage point or more from the increase as they’ve gone through the budget process. (See for example: Town of Mamaroneck 2004 Budget to Increase by Over A Million Dollars.)

This year’s proposed 3.6% increase in expenditures provides for additional funding of capital programs, increased employee benefit costs, and increased costs for commercial services - primarily in the category of energy. On the revenue side, non-property tax revenues are expected to increase by $450,250 and property tax levies by $600,590.

Mr. Altieri pointed out that property assessments for the coming year have increased, thus providing a broader tax base upon which to spread Town expenses.

What does this mean for the property owner? Applicable property assessments indicate that the tax rate impact of the proposed budget is as follows:

Villages of Larchmont and Mamaroneck -. the combined Town-wide tax rate and Ambulance District tax rate will decrease from $14.65 to $11.70 per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation. For a village property owner with an average assessment of $20,000, the property tax obligation to the Town will decrease by $59 from $293 to $234 per year.

Unincorporated Area of the Town - will also receive the benefit of the decrease in their Town and Ambulance District tax rates. However, these property owners also receive and pay for services from the Town Police, Fire, Sanitation and Highway Departments. The tax rate for the Unincorporated Area services will increase from $217.65 to $227.75 per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation. A property owner with an average assessment of $20,000 will realize a property tax increase of $202 in 2006.

The Budget process is scheduled to continue with an all day meeting on November 4. The capital budget will be reviewed on November 9. Then at the December 7 regularly scheduled meeting of the board, there will be a public hearing on the budget. All of these meetings are open to the public.

Police Honors

In a simple but moving ceremony, the Town honored many of its police force members for specific anti-crime performance – services that included solving of specific cases, enhancing public safety and provision of emergency assistance.

Sergeant Thomas Houlahan and Detective Robert Reynolds were awarded the Chief’s Achievement Award. Detective Reynolds has been the Town’s Youth Officer for 20 years while Sergeant Houlahan has taught the DARE program in the elementary schools for 8 years.

Excellent Police Duty Awards, i.e. awards for excellence in solving specific cases, were given to: Lieutenant Paul Creazzo, Officer Suzanne Debaun, Sergeant Paul Degenhardt, Sergeant Nelson Flores, Detective Thomas Gisin, Officer Anthony Hoffman, Detective Lieutenant Jerry McCarthy, Detective Thomas McDermott, Detective Robert Reynolds, Officer Daniel Smith, Officer George Valentzas.

The Distinguished Police Duty Award went to Detective Lieutenant Jerry McCarthy and the Life Saving Award to Officer Robert Ashley.

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