Taxes decreased 1 percent
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

The 2007 proposed budget shows a 1 percent tax decrease for residents - significantly less than the 10 percent promise made during Supervisor Satish Mohan's campaign.

"During my campaign, I told voters we could reduce town spending by 10 percent through more efficient management of our resources," Mohan said during Tuesday's press conference. "Today I have proposed a town budget that represents the first step toward realizing that goal."

He added that because of needs he identified in the town he was not able to find a 10 percent savings this year.

The budget, $109.8 million, is a $2.1 million increase from the initial 2006 budget. Mohan estimates that due to the $4 million budget deficit, the total 2006 budget will be $110.9 million.

Mohan completed the budget late Monday - the state's required deadline. Town Board members were given copies of the budget following Monday's board meeting.

With the initial numbers presented to Town Board members, departments and residents will have the opportunity to review and comment on the budget. A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16 at Town Hall. The final budget must be adopted by the end of the month.

"I urge citizens to voice their opinions on the proposed budget by telephone, e-mail or in person at the public hearing," Mohan said.

One department that will be responding is planning. Planning Director Rick Gillert said he will be educating the Town Board on the implications of the cuts proposed.

"There are projects that will not move forward," Gillert said about his department having to operate under the proposed cuts.

In addition to six positions being eliminated, the department is looking at a reduction of $364,000 in funding, roughly half of its 2006 budget.

During the press conference, Mohan addressed the Planning Department cuts, in addition to highway, which would lose three positions and engineering, six positions. In highway and engineering the cuts are unfilled positions, mostly from retirements. However, the budget would cut current employees from the Planning Department.

Mohan said with the Planning Department employees' training he was "sure they will get better jobs."

Gillert said the issues he has with the budget will be presented to the board in hopes of some additions to the budget.

Mohan's budget calls for the transfer of the Emergency Services Department to the Supervisor's Department, which would cut one position. Emergency Service Coordinator Jim Zymanek will continue to train the employees, and a part-time employee will also remain on the payroll. One full-time position will be eliminated.

The cost savings would be approximately $37,380.

The supervisor also noted that cuts were not made from fire districts in the 2007 budget.

On Monday, Police Chief John Moslow said overtime was reduced to $100,000 in the 2007 budget. To date, the department has spent more than $200,000 in overtime during the 2006 budget year. Moslow also said the current budget does not include the hiring of any police officers, placing the force at 149 officers - the lowest it has been in some time.

Mohan said the Police Department's budget is $1 million more than 2006 ,which does not include adding personnel. He said the raise is mostly due to salary increases.

Across town departments, overtime is being cut by about 50 percent - $450,000 is reserved in overtime for all the departments.

"I firmly believe that people look forward to overtime," Mohan said. "They abuse overtime."

He added that he plans to review scheduling with the departments to make better use of time to avoid overtime costs.

The proposed budget did not leave the supervisor's hands until Monday around 5 p.m., and response from departments and board members is expected in the following weeks.

Mohan said not being able to save 10 percent in spending was the result of allocating $10 million for a flood control program in the northeast quadrant of town; putting $1 million into the Eggertsville Community Youth Cen-

ter; having to use $4 million for the underfunded 2006 budget and investing $1.7 million for garbage totes.

He added that $3.79 million of the flood control plan money will be used in 2007.

The 1 percent tax decrease is subject to change following the board's recommendations. Mohan said he will continue to scrutinize spending, and a savings of 5 percent could possibly be seen, but on the same level, the 1 percent savings could also disappear, he said.

Revenues in 2007 are estimated at $35.9 million, with taxes contributing $73.2 million.

Comptroller Frank Belliotti said dealing with the problems from the year before affected the 2007 budget. He said his department will continue to analyze the budget.

"We'll look at cuts made, and look at where services are at," he said, adding that it takes several years to finalize a solid plan.

The 2007 budget is expected to be posted on the town's Web site, http://www.amherst.ny.us, this week.