Washington board adopts 2017 budget

WASHINGTON — The town of Washington passed its 2017 budget on Friday, Nov. 18. The town remained conservative in its spending, trying at all times to remain within the state-mandated tax cap limit of 0.68 percent. 

The real property tax in 2016 was $903,200. In 2017 it is expected to be $749,353, a difference of $ 153,847. The difference is 17 percent less in 2017 than 2016. The interest on taxes went from $19,521 to $20,000. 

The general fund, or A Fund, has appropriations listed at $1,201,561 in the 2017 fiscal plan. The expected revenue is $498,550, with a fund balance of $120,000, leaving a tax levy in the A Fund of $581,011. The state-mandated tax cap allowable levy is $1,521,201. 

The A Fund incorporates such things as the recreation department, gifts and donations, interfund revenues, insurance and landfill/dumping costs, among other things.

The fund balance for the B Fund, which includes general town outside the village, is zero, but $8,897 was requested, an increase from last year. B Fund expenses and revenues cover items such as county sales tax, building inspection fees, zoning administration fees, Planning Board fees, gifts and donations and insurance. It also includes attorney fees, educational fees, consultant fees and historic preservation, among others.  Workmen’s compensation, benefits, health and dental are also included in the B Fund.

Town clerk fees showed a 50 percent increase, as this past year a concerted effort was made to get all dogs licensed. In 2016, revenues from dog fees were $4,000; 2017 expected revenues from dog fees are estimated at $6,000. General town clerk fees and vital statistics fees remained the same at $1,200. The rent at Village Hall remains $7,000.  

The recreation center had a very busy summer, and while some programs have expanded, others remained almost the same. The park is open to nonresidents at higher fees, and remains an active part of the community. Revenues from the park and pool were $36,000 in 2016. In 2017, they are expected to rise by nearly 17 percent to $42,000. 

The town’s cost to help fund the Millbrook Library is $184,000, as was voted for in a referendum in the 2015 elections. The money is raised through taxes. There is no revenue from the library, though it’s a community resources that presents programs for all ages throughout the year. It is also used by other nearby communities, which likewise contribute to its operation. 

There was a transfer to the highway fund of $125,000, which remains constant. A mild winter last year kept costs for salt, sand and extra labor down, in part making up for a really bad winter the previous year. The actual expense for salt and sand during 2015 was $6,786, while the actual cost the following year was $4,896. In the 2017 budget it’s expected to be $4,208, down by $2,577. 

The General B Fund amounts to $265,419, with revenue at $246,522 and a fund balance of $8,897, leaving a tax levy of $10,000.

The Highway DB Fund is $1,257,694, with a revenue of $234,000. Having a fund balance of $30,000, the tax levy is anticipated at $993,694. There is a highway equipment reserve of $60,000. 

The fire district has appropriations of $426,780 with a tax levy of the same amount.  

Other areas with little change include the Senior Activities Fund, which in the 2016 budget was $10,000, but in 2017 it’s $8,000, a decrease of 20 percent.

There are, of course, many miscellaneous costs, such as printing and advertising.  In the 2016 budget that amounted to $750; in the 2017 budget, it’s $900, a 20 percent increase.

In the final analysis, the 2017 budget show a 1.25 tax rate for the town and a 0.49 tax rate for the village. The tax rate for the library is 0.131 percent, and for the fire department 0.36 percent. 

The entire 2017 budget is available on the town’s website. 

Meanwhile, a public hearing will be held on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. to discuss the fire contracts with the village of Millbrook and East Clinton.