Alex Costello
The proposed 2009-10 budget, which is about $80,000 larger than the current spending plan, calls for a $22 property tax increase, to nearly $300, on an average home in the area, which the Nassau County Property Assessor's office valued at $440,800.
"Our budget is pretty well set," said Mayor James Ruzicka. "We don't have a lot of items we can cut, because we’re a small village."
Island Park's single largest cost is employee salaries and benefits, which, at $1.5 million, account for nearly 43 percent of the budget. The cost of benefits has dropped by $36,500, which Ruzicka said is the result of one employee’s retirement and the settlement of a worker's compensation case.
The budget includes a 1 percent increase of $36,512 in salaries for the village's 68 employees, which includes the mayor and four-member board of trustees. "Our employees don't make a lot of money as it is," said Ruzicka. "They’re entitled to a small increase."
The cost of the village fire department will increase about $20,000, to $485,066. Village Clerk Gomie Persaud said that the village plans to spend $35,000 on a new car for the department chief.
The expense of maintaining the village, which includes snow removal, general repairs, beach and street cleaning, and garbage removal, will rise $10,000, to $390,500. Ruzicka said the increase stems from a rate hike in garbage-disposal fees the village pays to the Town of Hempstead. "We find we have to raise taxes because our bills go up, just like everyone elses," he said.
Though county officials have recently debated whether to cut aid to villages because of dismal sales tax revenue, Persaud said she hopes the county will come through with cash. “If we don’t get [county aid], we will be short $13,000 in our revenues,” she said. “We already try to keep expenses as minimal as possible.”
In the event that the village doesn't receive that $13,000, Ruzicka said that officials would have to study the budget and find ways to cut corners to make up the difference. "Hopefully we don't have a bad winter and we can cut costs on sand and salt and overtime there," he said. "When we set up a budget it's our best guess of what's going to happen for the year."
Island Park is expecting to receive $215,000 in state aid, a decrease of $58,732 from the current year. Estimated revenue totals will decrease by $21,746. The village will receive $60,000 in federal highway aid, an increase of $28,000, for road work the village does, like replacing drain boxes and bulkhead repair. Jobs that are "more involved than just repairing potholes," Ruzicka explained.
"All these things add to the increase, and that's what we have to do every year," said Ruzicka. "We aren't a big city that can cut a lot of corners or reduce our work force."
He also noted that he and village officials have recently talked with local businesses, encouraging them to offer sponsorships to help fund upcoming celebrations and the village's summer concerts. The village board agreed that this is a good way to increase revenues and take some of the burden off taxpayers.
The board was set to vote on the final budget at Thursday’s meeting, scheduled for 8 p.m. in Village Hall.
Adam Malmut contributed to this article. Comments about it? AHoffmann@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 269.
