Ramapo proposed 2023 budget: Slight property tax increases, raises for officials
RAMAPO – The town supervisor's proposed 2023 budget offers slight property tax increases for landowners outside the decrease for Suffern residents and provides 3% raises for elected officials and town personnel.
The $124.9 million budget – an increase from $119.7 million in 2022 – depends on $1 million drawn from the town's accumulated fund balance to help hold the line on property taxes, Supervisor Michael Specht said.
The aggregate taxes are $91.5 million, up from $87.6 million in 2022, an increase that falls below the state-mandated tax cap. The town surplus hit $7 million, including the $5 million sale of the Suffern Quarry.
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Budget comes with estimated tax increases
The estimated 2023 tax bills are based on the average assessed taxable value of $50,000. Ramapo tax bills, unlike other Rockland municipalities, depend on whether a property is located in unincorporated town areas or one of its villages that receive town services, such as police, highway, and public works.
Suffern taxpayers would pay $844 in 2023, down $37 from 2022. Suffern is a full-service village, providing police, code enforcement, public works, fire protection, and other services.
Spring Valley taxpayers would pay $937 in 2023, up from $935 in 2022. Spring Valley operates its own police force, highway, fire protection, and public works.
Non-village residents would pay $3,643 in 2023, up from $3,584 in 2022. These residents receive the entire range of town services, such as police, emergency medical services like ambulances, sewer, lighting, and collection of trash and recyclables.
Residents of the villages of Montebello, Chestnut Ridge, Wesley Hills, New Hempstead, Airmont, New Square, Kaser, Pomona, Sloatsburg, and Hillburn would pay $2,570, up $125 from 2022. Those communities receive town police and emergency medical services.
"This increase has been mainly driven by across-the-board inflationary price increases, especially related to the cost of fuel, utilities, and insurance," Specht said. "No other significant spending increases are anticipated."
Town Board members will review the tentative budget and a public hearing will be scheduled on or before Nov. 10. The board will adopt a budget on or before Nov. 20.
The 2023 tentative spending plan provides for cost-of-living wage increases of 3% for union employees, management such as department heads, and elected officials, Specht said. Town Board members also got 3% cost of living raises, he said.
The raises for elected officials come on top of boosts for elected officials in the 2022 budget and in 2019. The town also has special employment contracts with some department heads that provide for days off, use of town-owned cars, and other perks.
The budgeted 2022 salaries:
• Supervisor: $185,000, up from $165,000.
• Town board members: $55,167, up from $53,000 with full-time benefits. The board members gave themselves pay raises of $17,000 to $20,000 for 2019.
• The three justices: $82,025 each.
• Superintendent of highways: $179,000, up from $160,000.
Specht and town officials have said Ramapo has climbed out of a $13.8 million deficit from 2015, accumulated by the administration of Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence.
Ramapo overcame deficit
St. Lawrence, a Democrat and supervisor from 2000 to May 2016, served nearly three years in federal prison on a jury conviction. He was found guilty in May 2017 of 20 counts of securities and wire fraud, and conspiracy in a scheme to finance the town baseball stadium.
Specht said the town cleared the financial hurdle in 2020. Ramapo's sale of the Suffern Quarry – obtained for $1 – for $5 million helped, along with frugal spending.
The town's improved financial health led the Standard and Poor’s rating agency to give Ramapo an A+ rating with a stable outlook, Specht said. In addition, for the second year running, Ramapo is not on the “financially stressed” list published by the New York State Comptroller's Office.
Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal. Read more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Ramapo NY proposed 2023 budget raises taxes, salaries
