- Finalizing the West Monroe 2011 town budget was an enormous challenge. The town, just as any business, requires a defined amount of money to operate efficiently. We actually trimmed the budget by reducing operating expenses. We have been assessed a 385% hike in retirement benefits from the state retirement fund. The majority of this challenge is born by the highway department as employee benefits. The state retirement system has increased astronomically through out the Empire State and created an additional $60,000 liability to us. Just as everyone is aware, medical insurance costs have skyrocketed nation wide. A 38% multiple in this department proved to develop into a $25,000 increased expense to the town. The combined result is an $85,000 hard cost, leaving absolutely no alternative, but to pay for these increases. We compensated for a certiorari billing of $18,000, which was unappropriated in the 2010 budget. We have included the final $9000 in the new budget. The last major item we needed to compensate for is the reduction in revenue from sales tax, home sales, and State and highway fund aid, due to an unusually weak economy. We estimated a 10% loss of revenue amounting to $36,000.
- The total of these listed items, which we need to counteract, is $157,000. These are hard costs, which have escalated astronomically. We offset increases by trimming administrative and highway expenditures, but maintained a keen eye on snow removal and road repair programs. We realize the need for everyone to get to and from work and the necessity of road preservation.
- The final result, excluding utilities; a $100,000 home will result with a $7 increase in town tax (9.8%) and a $28 highway (10.3%) tax hike. We were able to reduce last years budget in the general fund by $34000 worth of expenses, but as noted above, revenues will fall short. I want to commend the Town board for their time and effort slashing the expenses for the benefit of their town residents and then making the decision to pass the 2011 budget changes. Similar to an electric bill, we may not like the amount charged to us, but if we do not pay, the alternative is unpleasant.
John Messere
Monroe Town Supervisor
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