In response to reduced revenues and unplanned expenses attributable to COVID-19 and the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, the Town of Sweden has taken steps to reduce both the 2020 budget and the 2021 budgets. Sweden received $642,000 in sales tax revenues in 2019; state officials are predicting Monroe County sales tax to drop by a third in both the second and third quarters of 2020. That could mean a $100,000 loss in revenues that fully fund town public safety functions and partly fund the highway department. Other non-property tax revenue streams have also been reduced or are in jeopardy of being reduced.
To offset the reduction in revenues, the town has ordered spending to be reduced in all departments. Some vacant positions are being left unfilled, equipment purchases canceled, and contractual expenses curtailed. The Town Board generally begins 2021 budget deliberations in July, but began early this year to address the budget stress caused by COVID-19. “We are determined to meet every revenue loss with a budget reduction,” said Supervisor Kevin Johnson. “At the same, we are determined that our residents will continue to receive excellent town services.”
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