Local News

To the Editor:

I had the eye opening experience of attending the Public Hearing on Grafton’s proposed budget for 2015 on Monday evening, October 27. The first thing I noticed was the budget put out on the table for public inspection, contained higher spending totals in the General Fund portion and a proposed tax hike of 3.39 %. This was different from the budget that was available for public inspection the prior week, which contained a tax hike of 1.5%. This is because the Supervisor discovered his preliminary budget had a $12,500 error in the appropriations side of the document. It would have been nice if this error had been discovered earlier so any who wished to view the budget could have availed themselves to the true numbers, but I thank the Supervisor for at least catching and correcting the document prior to the start of the hearing.

During the hearing I made the point that I was not in favor of such a tax hike for a number of reasons, the strongest being I don’t feel the majority of the residents of Grafton have seen their yearly income rise by 3.39% or better. I also pointed out that such an increase exceeded the NYS property tax cap, and further identified some areas that I thought some spending cuts could be made.

Immediately after the closing of the hearing, the Town Board held a special meeting, at which Supervisor Higgins proposed a resolution making four changes to his preliminary budget, chief of which was to move $12,500 dollars from the Town’s unexpended fund balance into the revenue side of the budget, to restore the 1.5 tax hike. It is here where my eyes were opened to some interesting points – one, that at least two of the Board members were unaware of this resolution prior to its introduction and two, that not all members of the Board were kept up to date periodically as to what the level of the fund balance was, as Councilman Crandall had to ask the Town’s bookkeeper for that figure. She informed the councilman that the Town started 2014 with $214,000 left over from last year, and that the Town had gained another $33,000 so far this year. I then asked Supervisor Higgins how much more would be needed from that fund balance to at least bring the tax hike down to under 1%. I was disappointed that in response he defended his spending levels as the result of inflation, increases in utility costs and unfunded State mandates. He never answered or offered to research the issue, said he was “not going to nickel and dime the budget” and cut off the discussion.

Now let me say that I am very fiscally conservative and would never advocate destroying the Town’s fund balance. I was simply looking for a number to see if such a further transfer of funds would be prudent. Since I was denied this answer, I researched the issue with the NYS Comptroller’s Office. They advocate that any funds in excess of 10% of the annual budget be used to reduce the amount of real property taxes and that this excess also be used to pay down any long term debts, such as our bonds on the Senior Center. Our fund balance is currently running north of 20% of our budget.

Supervisor Higgins has indicated that the budget with the changes approved by the Board will be brought to a vote at the next regular Town Board meeting date, which I believe is November 10. If you believe as I do, that we at least need an answer to the question of how much fund balance usage would be required to further lower the tax rate, please attend this meeting. Yes, inflation cost are a burden on the Town. But for those who are seeing a 1% increase or less in their household income this coming year, a tax hike above that is also a burden. They, unlike a government, cannot simply vote to increase their income like a government can increase taxes. So let’s use some common sense. NO, I do not want to drain our rainy day fund down to unreasonable levels. That would be foolhardy. But since it is in excess of recommended levels, and if using a very small portion of it can give those living on a reduced or stagnant income level a break this year, then bring those numbers forth at the next meeting. Let the Board have a open and real discussion on the pros and cons, make sure the spending and revenue estimates are legitimate and, above all, remember its OUR MONEY you’re spending. Please be informed, transparent and wise guardians of it.

Doug La Rocque, 34 Richmond Road, Grafton