HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB-10/02/1991-SSOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
OCTOBER 2, 1991
A Special Meetin9 of the Southold Town Board was called
Supervisor Scott L. Harris at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 2,
Southold Town Hall, Main Road, Southold, New York.
to order by
1991, at the
Present:
Absent:
Supervisor Sc&tt L. Harris
Councilman George L. Penny IV
Councilwoman Ruth D. Oliva
Councilwoman Ellen M. Latson
Councilman Thomas H. Wickham
Town Clerk Judith T. Terry
Justice Raymond W. Edwards
All Town Board members executed a Waiver of Notice of Town Board Meeting.
Town Clerk Terry formally presented the 1992 Tentative Budget of the Town of
Southold to the Town Board. Supervisor Harris stated the Board now has the
Supervisor's 1992 Budget and may begin the budget review process at their
convenience. The Preliminary 1992 Budget must be adopted by October 25, 1991,
publication of the public hearing notice will be on October 31st, and the budget
hearings will take place on November 7th as is specified by law (on or before the
Thursday immediately following the General Election). The last day to adopt the
'1992 Budget is November 20, 1991. Supervisor Harris then read his 1992 Budget
Message:
"1 am pleased to announce that the Town of Southold is recovering nicely from
the devastating effects of Hurricane Bob which struck our Township in late summer.
The impact of this storm on Southold Town wassevere and will be remembered for
years to come. However, with all Town residents working together toward a common
goal we will overcome the disaster of Hurricane Bob.
"In addition to Hurricane Bob, the Town, and in fact our entire region, has
been facing a different type of storm. That is, the storm of difficult economic
times.. The fact that economic times are difficult comes as no surprise to anyone.
In formulating the budget for 1992, we have worked very hard to hold the line on
spending in recognition of these difficult times and to conform with the fiscal
limitations of our Southold Town residents.
"We are looking at a 1992 budget with Town spending 'held to the lowest' level
in a decade...4.72% increase. This represents one of the lowest taxes in all of the
ten Towns in Suffolk County and barely keeps pace with the rate of inflation. The
Town tax rate has made a modest increase of 5.5% 'over the last year, which
translates into an average increase of $38 in Town taxes for the average household.
Please be reminded that the Town portion of the tax bill represents only
approximately 23% of the total tax bill.
"This is a lean and mean budget. In preparing it, we are faced with a
reduction in State Aid of over $300,000 and with severe decreases in revenue from
the Building and Planning Departments. As a further result of the national
economy, we are faced with a decrease in the mortgage tax as a result of the
depressed real estate market. In addition, we are still struggling with an inherited
million dollar deficit which had to be made up in part in the present 1991 budget
year. As with any business, certain expenditures are mandated, and must be
factored in, such as contract negotiations, State mandated retirement costs, utility
OCTOBER 2, ,99, 1 2 7-
and fuel costs. In addition,, due to cutbacks in revenues from the State, our Town
has had to assume total fiscal responsibility for services which are essential to the
rural quality of life that we enjoy.
"On the other side of the ledger, I have continued to keep a tight control on
spending, personally reviewing all prospective purchases, as well as implementing
a freeze on all overtime, except that which is essential to the health and safety of
our residents. In addition, a number of positions in the Town have been eliminated
or reduced.
"1 continue to be receptive to the concerns of our taxpayers. I also continue
to .be sensitive to the fiscal constraints of our taxpayers. I will continue to look
For ways to further decrease Town spending in the future, while continuing to
explore ways to enhance our revenues.
"1 am proud of the budget that has been produced this year, particularly
considering the drastic cutbacks in State Aid to our Town and the depressed
economic times that we are experiencing.
"We all share the common goal of protecting Southold from high taxes. As we
continue to work together to clean up from Hurricane Bob, we must all continue to
work together toward a common goal controlling taxes. I believe the budget that
I have submitted for 1992 accomplishes just that.
On motion of Councilman Wickham, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED that this Town Board meeting be and hereby is adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
Vote of the Board: Ayes: Supervisor Harris, Councilman Penny, Councilwoman Oliva,
Councilwoman Latson, Councilman Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
Judith T, Terry /¢~ --
$outhold Town Cler~