CHATHAM–The Village Board plans to make its proposed budget available to the public Friday, May 7, following a board workshop meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 6. The board expects to hold the public hearing on the spending plan Tuesday, May 11, at 6 p.m. at the Tracy Memorial.
Mayor Paul Boehme said that this year marks one of the most difficult budget processes he has been through. “A lot of things came together,” he said in an interview. In particular, he mentioned the drainage and paving work the village paid for on School Street, River Street and Park Row. It was accomplished concurrently with the major storm sewer and paving upgrade project done by the state.
Mr. Boehme said that retirement costs paid by the village have nearly doubled. Because of that, he said the board has made cuts in every other budget line. He also said that 40% of the property in the village is tax exempt. Mr. Boehme is referring to the many churches, the school campuses and non-profit organizations in the village.
“Seven hundred people [are] paying for 100% of the services,” he said.
The budget for the 2009-10 for the village was $660,074, with a tax rate of $5.70 per $1,000. And in 2008-09 it was $560,232.
“We got it down to a very reasonable budget,” the mayor said.
Residents will be able to see it on May 7. Copies of the budget will be available at the village clerk’s office at Tracy Memorial for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.