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Garden City Budget News Garden City residents realize the benefits of Village service in various ways, some conspicuous, some transparent. We are all reassured by the presence of our police (55 officers; 14 civilians) and fire (35 paid; 100+ volunteers) departments. The recreation facilities are available to all. The conveniences of garbage removal without having to place it at the curb and the quality of roads that have both safety and aesthetic benefits. Another example is the diversity of services provided by our Library, a member of the Nassau Library System, which is available to all Nassau County residents. Prior articles analyzed some operating costs issues. In addition to direct day-to-day operating costs, the delivery of Village services requires the maintenance and replacement of infrastructure, including the water and sewer systems and the Library. The current Village budget has a Capital Projects Budget of $3.5 million. Primary components this year are:
Fire Department - Annual Equipment Allocation $250,000 - Fire House Building Repairs $47,500 Subtotal $297,500 Police Department - New Vehicles $144,600 - New Firearms $50,000 Subtotal $194,600 Technology Projects - All Departments $178,000 Recreation Department - Athletes Square at Community Park $302,000 - Safety Surface at Parks $110,000 - Playground Equipment $95,000 - Fence Replacement $50,000 - Paths, Lots, Roadway Rehabilitation $50,000 - Recreation Equipment $47,000 - Consultant for Proposed Indoor Sports Center 40,000 Subtotal $694,000 Department of Public Works - Road Repairs $800,000 - New Equipment $536,500 - Sewer Repairs and Manhole Relining $250,000 - Sidewalk Repairs $250,000 - Curb Replacement $210,000 - Tree Planting $117,000 Subtotal $2,163,500 Total Capital Projects Budget $3,527,600
Though not yet authorized by the Board of Trustees, Village management has proposed preliminary Capital Projects Budgets for the next four fiscal years: 2008-2009 - $7.0 million; 2009-2010 - $4.0 million; 2010-2011 - $3.4 million; and 2011-2012 - $3.6 million. The proposed increase in the Capital Projects Budget from the $3.5 million in the current fiscal year to $7.0 million next year is primarily due to proposals to: construct an Indoor Sports Center for $1.7 million; rehabilitate the roller hockey facility for $442,000; $802,000 for Business District Improvements; and $560,000 to re-surface parking fields. The Village's Operating Budget also includes various activities which maintain the Village's infrastructure. For example, the Operating Budget for the current fiscal year has $230,000 for the maintenance and replacement of storm sewer catch basins; $480,000 for the removal and pruning of trees; and $563,000 (excluding electricity costs) for street lighting and traffic control (replacing poles and footings). The Capital Projects Budget to support the schools and their facilities are part of the School Budget and not the Village's Budget. Note the Village's current Capital Projects Budget also excludes the $1.5 million capital budget for the Water Department author-ized for the current fiscal year. And, it excludes support for the Library Fund of $3.3 million ($2.0 million of which is salaries and benefits for the 37 full-time equivalent staff). It is important to note that the Library's budget is not controlled by the Board of Trustees. Rather the Trustees determine the level of support (Village tax receipts) that will be given to the Library's Board to spend. In total, the Village's Budget Appropriations approved by the Board of Trustees for the current fiscal year, including operating costs and capital projects, totals $54 million. This $54 million is the current annual cost of the level of services we, the residents, enjoy. One year of operation of the Village's infrastructure and compensation for its 317 employees (full-time equivalents). Is this the "right amount" for the Village budget? That answer is a function of several factors including decisions about the desired level of services residents expect, the amount of services outsourcing the Village employs, and replacement schedule for existing equipment. The Citizens' Budget Review Committee was formed by the Property Owners Associations to provide the residents and the Board of Trustees with the analysis and information to support their efforts to make more informed decisions throughout the annual Village budget development and review process. Roy S. Ryniker is President of the Reorganization Alternatives Group, Ltd. and Chairman of the Garden City Citizens' Budget Review Committee (Roy.Ryniker@ReAltGroup.com). Bob Sundius is a corporate executive and financial advisor for middle market companies (rwsundius@interim-execmgmt.com). Contact them with comments/suggestions regarding the Village's operations and budget.
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