The Greenburgh Town Board will hold our second budget hearing on the 2009 budget tomorrow evening (Monday, November 24th) at 8:30 PM. Before the hearing begins the Board will honor Ardsley girl scouts who helped veterans on veterans day. We will also hear a report from the state re: status of Tappan Zee bridge. The TZ bridge construction alternatives will impact Greenburgh and our villages. This briefing is one of a number of TZ bridge briefings we have had in recent years.
Since the proposed budget was submitted the town comptroller's office has been reviewing the document -looking for technical corrections.
First, we have some "technical" corrections to headcount information - these are non controversial as they adjust the parenthetical disclosures for certain lines to conform with what is in the current budget.
Second, there are the changes resulting from the corrections to the "I" fund. Not debatable per se, must happen, although there are some tax rate implications if no other revenues are found or appropriations reduced.
Third, there is the combination of minor revenue changes (lower interest income) and some changes to heat, electric and gas and oil based upon establishing some consistency across all departments. These changes would result in a small additional increase in taxes. However, I am urging the Board to look for revenue increases or additional cuts and anticipate that we will avoid an increase in taxes over what the projected budget recommended.
The Town Board will be spending substantial time reviewing the 2009 proposed budget in December. The budget must be approved by December 20th. I anticipate that additional public hearings will be held and that some additional cuts, modifications to the proposed budget could be approved.
PAUL FEINER
