NHP budget shows modest increase

Richard Tedesco

The New Hyde Park Board of Trustees presented a proposed 2013-14 budget at Tuesday night’s board meeting of $5.86 million, a $39,350 increase over the current budget of $5.82 million.

During a hearing on the budget, newly-elected New Hyde Park Mayor Robert Lofaro said the tax levy would rise by 2.23 percent year-to-year to $4.07 million, an increase of $88,639.96 over the current year.

“We’re not talking about a big swing in numbers. It’s pretty much the same as it was last year,” Lofaro said.

He said the 2.23 percent tax levy increase was .01 percent below the 2 percent state-mandated tax cap. He said the average assessed household in the village with a valuation of $5,400 would pay an additional $31.32 in village tax next year.

Lofaro said the total village assessment roll as of April 1, was set at $19.69 million, a $126,373 reduction from $19.81 set last year.

The cost of medical, dental and vision insurance coverages for village employees are projected to be $688,642, a $5.196.72 increase from the current year, he said, adding that some employees are now required to contribute 10 percent to 20 percent for their coverage.

State retirement fund costs are projected at $387,615, a $29,901 increase from the current year.

Personal service expenses are projected to increase $66,907.75 based on a 3.34 percent increase in the village’s collective bargaining agreement with its employees.

Lofaro said the village board had to make up for $26,000 in successful tax certiorari claims brought by local businesses.

“I think there was a lot of rigor put in it,” village Trustee Lawrence Montreuil said of the budget process. “We budgeted more conservatively on the revenue side particularly.”

The 2013-14 village budget projects a drop in total state aid to $382,446 next year, compared to $416,435 in the current year, including a drop in consolidated highway improvement program assistance to $94,000 from $121,805. 

Total cost of street maintenance will rise year-to-year to $872,189.65 from $840,872.

“We’re presenting a budget that historically reflects how much income we will have and how much revenue we can expect,” Lofaro said.

In response to a question about Federal Emergency Management Agency funds the village expects to receive in reimbursement from Hurricane Sandy damage, Lofaro said the village expects to receive most of the money in August, which will be applied to the 2012-13 budget. The village sustained approximately $300,000 from the hurricane.

“For the most part, the FEMA funds we receive this year will be applied this year to defray the loss of reserves,” Lofaro said.

In other developments:

• Village Department of Public Works Superintendent Thomas Gannon said his department is planning tree replacements around the village and is currently seeking a vendor to do the work.

• Lofaro said a community cleanup will take place on April 27, with the Village Hall parking lot as the organization point that morning.

• Trustee Richard Coppola said the annual village Little League parade would kick off from Applebees on Jericho Turnpike on Saturday at 10 a.m. The parade proceeds east on Jericho Turnpike toward its finish at Nuzzi Field at the west end of Stewart Avenue.

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