Bee Editorial
Town learns to work together
Four months into the year, and we aren't hearing screaming from the Amherst Town Board about whether there is a $4 million hole or not.

In Supervisor Satish Mohan's second attempt at a budget it appears the town's chief financial officer put together a solid plan in 2007. In presenting her monthly report, Comptroller Darlene Carroll rattled off figures about the 2007 budget and its status before closing the books. Members asked basic questions and appeared satisfied with her report.

There was no arguing about the numbers. Could it be everyone is on the same page? If that is the case, then make note: the town board is on its way to better days.

The official audit is still about 60 days away from completion, but the town is leaps and bounds ahead of last year when council members were arguing with the supervisor about whether there was or was not at one time a deficit to the tune of $4 million.

For those keeping track, the town's auditing firm, Drescher and Malecki, reported in July that it found that the Town of Amherst's 2006 budget was short less than 1 percent in the general fund. Also, the town had $1.98 million left from operations.

The two main issues that concerned Mohan during 2006 were utilities and health insurance. Health insurance cost $9.1 million, with $7.5 million budgeted, while utilities cost $5.2 million, with $3.4 million budgeted.

It was quite a confusing year for those involved. Was the town ahead? Behind? Were we headed for Doomsday or not?

If the only positive change from last year was less confusion, then that would be great news, but thankfully, there's more.

We think Carroll deserves at least a pat on the back. Since her appointment in January, the board has been updated on financial issues in the town, and there have been no reports of late taxes, unpaid vendors or missing paychecks. She has even alerted the board to changes in staffing and town policies that might have otherwise gone unaddressed and become major issues in the future.

Mohan hasn't had the easiest time since taking office. He's been the target of many complaints, some warranted, of course. But the town's finances finally appear to be under control.

Truth be told, we don't blame any one person's involvement. Constant changes in the comptroller's office will of course lead to problems. But it's refreshing to see some consensus among those in charge of handling and spending millions of dollars.