Town Budget to Increase by 3.6%

by Harriet Kline

(December 8, 2005) After several years of volatility, the preliminary 2006 budget for the Town of Mamaroneck is scheduled for an expenditure increase of a modest 3.6%. Expenditures are anticipated to rise from $25,298,850 in 2005 to $26,220,540 in 2006, or an additional $921,690. The Town Board will take its final budget vote on Tuesday December 20; however, based on the presentation at last night’s public hearing, significant changes are not likely. Neither residents nor board members proposed any modifications.

2006 Budget Details

The anticipated tax impact on residents will vary. Residents of the unincorporated area can expect a 4.4% increase in their tax rate, or an extra $191 in taxes, based upon an average assessment of $20,000. Residents of the Villages of Larchmont and Mamaroneck will see a 20.5% decrease or $60 less (based on the same assessment). This is very close to what was projected in the tentative budget in October. (See: Smaller Increase Expected in 2006 Town Budget.)

Where the Money Comes From:

According to Town Administrator Steve Altieri, the 2006 proposed budget is influenced by four external factors: rising interest rates, increased rate of inflation, rising energy costs and the changing real estate market. Mr. Altieri’s transmittal letter to the board noted, “There’s no apparent indication of home prices falling, prices have tended to stabilize.” Therefore he’s predicting only a modest uptick in revenue from mortgage taxes for next year.

In the past few years, significant increases in New York State mandated programs for pensions, liability insurance and health care necessitated larger increases in the Town budget. (See, by contrast, 2003: Preliminary Budget Shows 9.3% Rise.) Those factors have leveled out for this year.

Where the Money Goes: The largest slice of the Town budget pie gets spent on Public Safety and Employee Benefits. Other sigificant categories are: Community Services and Culture/Recreation.

The Town Board wanted taxpayers to be reminded of an upcoming capital project that will impact future budgets. Supervisor Valerie O’Keeffe explained that the Westchester Joint Waterworks, comprising Harrison, the Village of Mamaroneck and the Town of Mamaroneck, will be sharing costs for a new state mandated water filtration plant. The Town’s share of the project, approximately $8,000,000, will be borrowed, and the cost of that debt will not be felt until 2007.

A fourteen-page PowerPoint presentation detailing the budget is available for downloading from the Town of Mamaroneck web site (www.TownofMamaroneck.org). The full preliminary budget document is available for perusal in the Town Clerk’s office.

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