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Mostly Cloudy Lynbrook’s budget plan sees 3.6% increase
All village services to be maintained, mayor says
The Village of Lynbrook’s proposed 2011-12 budget, coming in at about $33.5 million, is 3.6 percent higher than the current spending plan.
The tax rate for homeowners is expected to increase by a little more than 6 percent. Village Administrator John Giordano said that the increase is attributable to a reduction of village tax assessments.
All services will be maintained, according to Mayor Bill Hendrick. “We have to continue to get the most services out of the least money we can because people need those services,” Hendrick said. “We have to control our budget, which is my No. 1 priority.”
Most of the increase — about $1 million — is the result of state-mandated retirement contributions and health insurance costs. Workers compensation insurance is also increasing by about 30 percent.
Salaries and benefits for the Lynbrook Police Department account for 31 percent of the village’s budget. Police Department staffing will be maintained, officials said, though wages and benefits will increase by almost $500,000.
Like other villages, Lynbrook is seeing less money coming in from certain revenue areas, including the mortgage tax, due to the declining housing market, and interest earnings, Giordano explained. “This is something that every village and city across the country is experiencing,” he said, “some type of revenue loss.”
Officials anticipate closing the current fiscal year with a surplus of nearly $5 million. To offset other revenue losses, village officials plan to use $1.9 million of that in the proposed budget.
The plan includes no salary increases for elected officials. Hendrick will be paid $22,173, and each of the four trustees will earn $16,629. The administrative cuts made two years ago will remain in effect, Giordano noted.
As of press time, the board was still reviewing the needs of each department, he said, including equipment. Trustees are also working on a capital project plan. No new programs are planned for next year.
The board is expected to adopt the budget on April 25.
Comments about this story? CHamlin@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 246.
