A public hearing on the 2015 Town of Riga preliminary budget is set for October 8 at 7:05 p.m.
Once again, no taxes will be placed on either the townwide budget or the town-outside-the-village budget for 2015 as revenues are expected to exceed expenditures.
According to a statement from Riga Supervisor Robert Ottley, overall spending in the preliminary 2015 budget is increased 17.8 percent. That equates to about $376,223 in additional spending with the purchase of a new dump truck the largest cost ($230,000 estimate). Costs have also been included in the budget for updating the Comprehensive Plan, conducting a town-wide survey, additional legal costs related to possible zoning changes, and capital projects which include improving acoustics at the Cobblestone Hall and Sanford Rd. Lodge.
Supervisor Ottley stated health care costs are expected to increase by 13 percent. The contribution for NYS Retirement, however, is expected to decrease, a reversal of a trend of double-digit increases.
Full-time employees and full-time elected officials will receive a two percent increase in salary with no additional cost of their benefits. Part-time employees and elected officials will receive a three percent increase in salary.
The preliminary 2015 budget includes an increase in funding for the Newman Riga Library and the highway budget for capital improvements and road repair is increased 15 percent. The budget includes plans for the replacement of a front-end loader, backhoe and skid steer loader in addition to the large dump truck.
The town is still realizing savings from outsourcing dog control, use of private contractors for mowing and cleaning services, and overall controlling of operational costs Ottley states.
In 2014 the town used $1,119,030 from the HCA Reserve Account (Host Community Agreement, Mill Seat Landfill) to balance the budget. In 2015, $1,278,272 is expected to be used. At the end of 2014, the town anticipates the balance in the HCA Reserve Account will be about $5.5 million and that at the end of 2015, that balance should grow to $6.4 million.
Ottley added that the town is using $156,000 from the Equipment Reserve account to help with the purchase of the new dump truck and $25,000 from the Recreation Reserve account to help with costs for capital projects.
