For Immediate Release                                                                                                                   

October 5, 2010                  

                                                                                               

TOWN OF CLARKSTOWN TO LOWER TAXES IN 2011

AMID STATE AND NATIONAL ECONOMIC WOES

Taxes lowered by -.04% in Town

 

(New City, New York) – Clarkstown Town Supervisor Alexander J. Gromack and the Town Board today are announcing a reduction in the Town of Clarkstown’s overall budget which resulted in lower taxes for 2011. 

 

“We are pleased that after much scrutiny and review, the Town of Clarkstown will be reducing taxes in 2011 by -.04%,” said Supervisor Gromack.  “That means next year, residents will not have to pay any increase in their Town taxes.”

 

The reduction in taxes resulted despite many challenges and increasing costs the Town is facing.  For example, mortgage tax revenue continues to decline.  In 2010, the Town budgeted $4.1million but is only projecting $3.4million in 2011.  Meanwhile, costs continue to climb.  Pension costs for both CSEA employees and police totaled $9.2million in 2010, but increased an extra $760,815 in 2011.  Similarly, this year the Town will see an increase in health care costs of over $1.1million from $11.5million in 2010 to $12.6million in 2011.  In addition, the Town will pay almost $200,000 in MTA tax to the State of New York.

 

“While unfunded mandates and other external costs increase for the Town, we continue looking for cost savings by reducing the size of our workforce and government in general,” said Gromack.  “This Town Board and I are committed to reaching further and looking deeper to find ways to save our residents money.”

 

The Town’s 2011 operating budget, which totaled $110,203,885, was reduced by $315,530 compared to the 2010 operating budget of $110,519,415.  The Town reduced its full time workforce by 65 employees since the Supervisor took office in 2005, including reducing the size of the Clarkstown Police Department from 173 officers to 163 and 29 other employees who participated in the NYS Early Retirement Incentive of which 17 are not being replaced.

 

“We continue to make smart, fiscally responsible decisions that reduce our bottom line without reducing the services government should provide its residents,” said Supervisor Gromack.  “While we look to downsize and consolidate government, we are not short changing residents.  We will still have Minitrans service for our seniors, pools will be open all summer, recreational activities will be available for adults and children, and we will continue to provide the Town services that our residents require.”

 

The Town’s total budget, which includes special districts and the operating budget, totals $133,752,655. 

 

The Town’s fiscal management has earned it a AAA rating from Standard and Poor’s, along with an upward recalibration by Moody’s Investors Service.  This year, the Town of Clarkstown was again named CNN/Money Magazine’s Top 100 Places to Live in America.  The Town ranked 41^st and was the first New York State town ranked.   The Town was again named one of the Top 10 Safest Communities in the nation by CQ Press.

 

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