HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupervisors Budget Message SCOTT A. RUSSELL
SUPERVISOR
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OFFICE OF THE SUPERVISOR
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
Town Hall, 53095 Route 25
P.O. Box 1179
Southold, New York 11971-0959
Fax (631) 765-1823
Telephone (631) 765-1889
This budget is a product ofa govemment that has been well run by a nonpartisan board
that adheres to prudent and fiscally sound principles. I am pleased to report that the finances of
Southold Town are sound and our outlook for the coming year is good. To be sure, revenue from
all sources remain at historically low levels and there is no reason to suggest that we should be
optimistic in 2011. However, the policies that this board has adopted and adhered to provide a
stable economic outlook as we move forward. I urge the Town Board to continue to honor these
principles and to maintain the sound financial path we have created together as we move into
2011.
Among these principles are:
1. Maintain our pay-as-you-go policy and not rely on debt to conduct the business of
government.
2. Continue to reduce spending across the board for all non-essential items and
unnecessary costs.
3. Resist temptation to overestimate revenue and income that simply will not
materialize in the coming year.
4. Maintain our policy of attrition: to reduce payroll costs by only filling positions that
are critically needed.
This budget reflects those principles. There is, however, a word of ¢aution. The New
York State Retirement Fund has become a tremendous financial burden. This burden falls
squarely on the shoulders of taxpayers. To all of my colleagues in public service, we must come
to understand that the taxpayers can take no more. The sponge is full and real leadership in
Albany will not show itself until there is an end to a program that provides a defined benefit plan
to employees who make no contribution. All of us in public service should be contributing to a
retirement plan that is maintained for our own well-being when we reach retirement age. The
days of no contribution to our own retirement need to come to an end.
Among the key features of this budget are:
1. Includes a total appropriation of $38,456,186 which will result in a tax increase of
1.84%.
2. Provides continued funding for compliance to the federally mandated MS4 Program
and our aggressive efforts to reduce storm water pollution.
3. Adheres to the Town Board adopted policy of ensuring a fund balance of at least 10%
in our General Fund appropriations. In fact, the un-appropriated fund balance exceeds
that level.
Provides funds for a capital project that will create a village green in the vicinity of
Love Lane in Mattituck. This investment by the town is an investment in the future of
the business community and an investment in a community that is so important to all
of US.
Lastly, I would like to thank Town Comptroller John Cushman, Assistant Town
Comptroller Connie Solomon and all department heads in helping me develop a budget that is
fiscally sound and will meet the needs of this community for the coming year.