Budget hearings finished

MILLERTON — A public hearing was held Monday, April 13, for the village budget.

The main discussion was regarding the North East Community Center’s programs with the Recreation Center. The cost to the village to run the programs is $2,500. The board spoke with Jenny Hansell, executive director at the community center, during the meeting about trying to run the programs with a smaller budget. The $2,500 was left in the budget, because after the public hearing is closed the line can only be lowered, not raised.

That issue was the only topic discussed at the hearing. While the hearing was closed at the April 13 meeting, public discussion continued during the meeting last Monday, April 20, as the board looks to wrap up this year’s budget. Millerton’s fiscal year begins June 1; the board’s draft budget is due by May 1.

Although tentative, the village’s budget number for the amount to be raised in taxes is $363,390; last year that number was $349,361. That means the village is looking at a 4.01-percent increase.

Village Treasurer Karen McLaughlin said the Village Board would still work on the budget at its meeting Monday, April 20, after this paper’s deadline.

“They’re hoping to chip away at it,� she said. “They know they’re not going to raise it. They got public input, they closed the public hearing and they have a few items they may chip away at tonight.�

Once the board is finished tweaking the fiscal plan, it will vote to adopt it in time to file it with the New York State Comptroller’s Office.

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