The Town of North Hempstead did not alter its below tax cap budget at its first post-election hearing – a development that did not assuage Republican concerns that Interim Town Supervisor John Riordan’s vote could raise taxes without bipartisan support.
Republicans including Town Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio (Port Washington), who lost to Legislator Judi Bosworth (D-Great Neck) in Nov. 5’s town supervisor election, had alleged that Riordan’s appointment following the departure of former Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman (D-Great Neck) was a move to give Democrats the supermajority needed to exceed the state tax cap.
Though the budget stayed within the 1.66 percent tax levy mandated by the state comptroller’s office this year. longtime Republican Councilman Angelo Ferrara said he still has misgivings about the Democrats’ intentions. Deputy Supervisor Chris Senior, who automatically succeeded Jon Kaiman after he left office, had no voting authority, while Riordan was selected by the council and has voting powers.
Ferrara has said he’s still concerned the Democrats would have a supermajority to vote to exceed the budget cap.
“I have to be concerned because there was no reason for them to do what they did. The question is why,” Ferrara said.
Riordan said he thought he had already addressed Republican concerns about a last-minute budget change. He said the change in last year’s budget was due to costs incurred from Hurricane Sandy and he anticipates only minor changes in this year’s budget.
“Our intention hasn’t changed. There is no hidden agenda,” Riordan said. “I somewhat resent the implication that I’m not telling the truth.”
After Thursday’s hearing, Democratic Councilman Thomas Dwyer said any discussion of exceeding the tax cap would have been broached weeks ago.
“I think I speak for all the Democratic members of the town board in saying we are in full support of the budget. There has been absolutely no discussion on breaking the tax cap,” Dwyer said.
The town’s proposed 2014 budget is $125,283,073, representing a 1.98 percent increase of $2,435,635 over the 2013 budget of $122,847,383. The proposed 2014 tax levy is $72,045,552, a 1.65 percent increase of $1,167,532 over the 2013 tax levy of $70,878,020.
The numbers haven’t changed since Kaiman submitted the preliminary budget as one of his last official acts before leaving office on Set. 23. A source in the town administration involved in creating the 2014 town budget said there will be no “significant” changes in the budget before the final hearing on Nov. 19 when the town board will vote on it.
At an Oct. 22 town board meeting to set dates for budget hearings and the upcoming budget vote, Ferrara supported fellow De Giorgio in calling for a budget vote prior to the Nov. 5 election. De Giorgio, who had called on interim Town Supervisor John Riordan to recuse himself from voting on the budget, said the town had established a pattern of amending budgets to hike tax rates after election day.
“For the past two years, we’ve submitted a budget below the tax cap. And afterwards it is raised by 6 percent and exceeded the tax cap,” said De Giorgio, who was competing for the town’s top executive post against Judi Bosworth.
At the Oct. 22 meeting, Riordan called the issue of voting on the budget before or after the election “a red herring.” He has said voting on the budget is part of his responsibility as supervisor.
De Giorgio said she was satisfied that the budget was within the tax cap. But she said she is “negotiating” changes in the budget regarding the Port Washington Public Parking District.
Ferrara said there are two areas where he thinks the preliminary budget should be amended, in personnel and debt service.
“I think there’s too much money in the wrong places in the budget,” he said.
Ferrara said he would like to see the town’s debt paid down more quickly and said he thinks the town is top-heavy in its communications personnel and the supervisor’s staff.
“I’d like to see more people serving in the building department where they’re needed,” he said.
The proposed budget for the Office of the Supervisor shows an increase to $802,105 for 2014 from $798,595 in 2013. The subtotal for full-time and part-time salaries shows a year-to-year increase to $776,605 from $773,095.
Democratic board members said they were satisfied with the current budget after last night’s hearing.
“I think it’s a good budget. It was a good budget to begin with,” said Councilwoman Anna Kaplan.
“I’m not changing the budget,” Dwyer said.
Among special park districts:
• The new Levitt Park at Roslyn Heights Park District – also known as Roslyn Country Club – shows an initial budget of $72,501, with more than half of that for repairs and maintenance needed to resuscitate the pool and tennis courts that are in a serious state of disrepair.
• The Clinton G. Martin Park District in New Hyde Park shows a proposed year-to-year decrease to $1,188,311 from $1,198,201. The New Hyde Park park district is the subject of a controversial audit yet to be completed by the county comptroller’s office.
• The Harbor Hills Park District in Great Neck shows a proposed year-to-year increase for 2014 to $308,461 from $307,200 in 2013.
• The Manhasset Bay Park District shows a proposed increase for 2014 to $40,381 from $40,373 in 2013.
For other town recreational facilities:
• The proposed budget for Michael J. Tully Park in New Hyde Park shows a proposed year-to-year increase to $1,921,160 from $1,802,643.
• The proposed budget for the Manorhaven Beach Park and Pool in Port Washington is $966,545 for 2014, up from $869,559 in 2013. Costs for full time personnel at Manorhaven is proposed to increase year-to-year to $352,295 from $308,059. Costs of seasonal and part time salaries are also proposed to increase to $290,00 from $270,000.
• The proposed 2014 budget for North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington is $916,895, down from $956,827 for 2013.
• The proposed budget for Whitney Pond Park in Manhasset shows a year-to-year increase to $4,496,464 from $4,014,314. The budget for full time personnel at the park is proposed to increase year-to-year to $512,364 from $300,785. Seasonal and part time employee costs are also projected to increase to $100,000 from $20,000.
