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Supervisor Richard H. Becker, MD 2023 Proposed Budget Announcement

Release Date: October 28, 2022
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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Supervisor Richard H. Becker, MD, Town of Cortlandt

(914) 734-1002, Fax (914) 734-1003

For Immediate Release: October 28, 2022

It has been an exciting and busy first year as Town Supervisor.  I am very pleased to announce that we have been able to continue the tradition in 2023 of an on-average 1% tax increase. The Town is proposing a 1% increase in the tax levy for 2023, and therefore we have met the New York State Tax Cap mandate of a 2% allowable tax levy limit for 2023. A portion of the unused funds will be carried over for use in future years.  Here are some highlights of the proposed budget:

  1. The Town has increased and maintained its savings. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021: Fund Balance = $ 19,863,716 (Includes surpluses of funds, excluding the Capital Projects Fund)
  2. Grants – Millions of dollars each year from the State, Federal or County Governments have been received by the Town to assist with the operating costs and capital projects.  We actively pursue and apply for grants that have assisted the Town in completing its larger projects. The Town was awarded a federal grant for $3.2 million for infrastructure improvements and other riverfront projects in the hamlet of Verplanck. Over $1,200,000 was received in operating and capital grants in 2021, alone. The Town was also awarded a total of $3,278,567 from the American Rescue Act of 2021 (ARPA) to be used for infrastructure for sewers and water projects and other general government expenses.
  3. The Towns’ bond rating was upgraded to Aa1 by Moody’s at the end of 2019 due to an excellent financial evaluation and proactive measures to offset the future loss of PILOT revenues from the impending closure of Indian Point nuclear plant.
  4. 2022 Town Wide Debt (Bonds) $ 8,135,000. (Only about 1.4%  of our borrowing capacity per NYS) Overall, the Town has very little debt compared to the allowable borrowing capacity of $435 million.  The capacity is based on the constitutional debt limits established by NYS. The Town’s low use of debt contributes to its excellent Aa1 bond rating status set by Moody’s.
  5. Open Space - Land acquisition, donations and conservation easements have increased over 100% (from 2,729 acres to 6,582 acres) in the last 30 years. Approximately 3,850 additional acres have been preserved as open space.  The Town has paid cash (no borrowing and no tax increases to reach this goal) during these years.  We added an additional 38 acres in October.

These are a few of the highlights and more information can be found in the document attached.  In addition, the Town Board will be holding a special Town Board meeting on November 7, 2022 at 7:00PM to Receive and File the Supervisor’s proposed budget.  Budget work sessions will be held with the Town Board during the month of November and the final budget will be voted on at the December 5th Town Board Meeting.

I am very proud of our proposed budget that continues to take into consideration how important a low town tax increase is for all our taxpayers.  In addition, we continue to provide excellent services, new projects, and recreational activities and protect our open space with additional acres added onto our inventory. 

________________

Richard H. Becker

Town Supervisor

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2023 PROPOSED BUDGET