The Brookhaven Town Board voted Thursday to pass a $329 million budget for 2023. It passed unanimously in a 6-0 vote.
The budget, presented by Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R), raises taxes by 1.92%, just below the New York State 2% tax cap, despite higher prices on fuel and commodities, brutal inflation over the past year and a rising Consumer Price Index.
Brookhaven Public Information Officer Jack Krieger responded to The Messenger’s direct request for comment and gave us an in-depth look at the breakdown.
Some key points made by Krieger include the difficulty of navigating the task of keeping taxes low or at least below certain thresholds. Krieger said the tax increase falls below the 2% New York State Tax Cap. The budget also complies with Brookhaven’s Tax Rate and Debt Management Caps.
Krieger also included that garbage removal costs for a single home will remain below $385. The snow removal budget has increased by $232,182.
As far as economic outlook, the town seems optimistic about the budget’s provisions to withstand further economic uncertainty. The budget provides “financial flexibility in revenue estimates to withstand a recession.” Krieger called the revenue projections “conservative.”
He also includes that the budget provides for an “increase in contractual spending of 6.3%, which is consistent with the Town’s Regional CPI.”
Krieger also outlined several public improvement projects within the budget:
1. $21.1 million for roads, stormwater and drainage improvements, traffic safety, street lighting, machinery, and equipment
2. $8.8 million in landfill capping, infrastructure improvements and machinery/equipment
3. $5 million for open space preservation and land acquisition for drainage
4. $2.8 million for park and recreation facilities and equipment
5. $2 million for Planning and Environmental
6. $1 million for other improvement, including vehicles, facilities, public safety and information technology
7. $4.2 million for sewer improvements
8. $3.3 million for drinking water improvements.
Krieger touted the accomplishments of the town and the provisions of the 2023 budget, especially in light of how rough an economic year 2022 has proven.
“Fiscal year 2022 has presented many unexpected challenges as commodity prices have escalated and most vendors have declined to renew their contracts. New York’s 2022 inflation rate is 6.3%. However, fuel and utility costs have increased far beyond the 2022 budgeted levels. Despite this, the 2023 [Tentative] Budget maintains all Town service and increases staffing to meet the needs of our residents.”
The town’s outstanding debt in the budget is reduced by more than 36%, according to Krieger.
The budget also includes provisions “successfully negotiated in the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with its white-collar union. Favorable terms were negotiated with respect to the hours worked per day, workers’ compensation entitlements, and hourly rates, all benefitting the Brookhaven Taxpayers for years to come.”
Krieger also asserts the terms of the CBA will “position the Town well to withstand a recession in 2023 and/or 2024.”
Regarding the landfill in Yaphank, the plant remains “on track to close its Construction and Debris operation at the end of fiscal year 2024.”
Overall, the town seems optimistic about the budget’s provisions and the ability to survive possible serious economic ramifications in the near future.
In his statement, Krieger said: “Because of the steps taken in this budget, the Town is confident that our AAA credit rating with Standard and Poor’s Financial Services and Moody’s Investor Services will be reaffirmed when we return to the market, as the financial condition of Town is stronger than it was at the time of our last credit rating, and total outstanding bond debt is down.”
