The Ancram Town Board opened discussion on the 2027 town budget at its meeting on Thursday, June 18.
Budget Officer Steve Olyha, who also chairs the town’s Financial Advisory Council, told the board that the town has been using its surplus for the last few years to balance the budget but that cushion might not last much longer. If the revenue remains the same, he said, the budget will fall out of balance.
“The savings account is going to run out in about the next two years, which puts us in a situation where we need to take a very close look at raising taxes for the first time in 16 years,” Olyha said. “The tax cap for New York state this year is 3.65%, and the FAC is recommending minimally, an additional 6% on top of that 3.65%.”
Although the percentage seems like a big jump, he said it wouldn’t be a huge addition to the budget — only about $65,000. “The $65,000 averages about $54 to $55 a household,” he said.
The town relies on four main revenue sources: tax revenue, county sales tax, CHIPS or state funding for the Highway Department, and building permits. On spending, Olyha said about 90% of the town’s budget is fixed, covering salaries, insurance, and legal fees. The town camp and swimming pool are the only major discretionary expenses, he said, but the FAC does not recommend cutting them.
“We deem that an essential part of Ancram’s character,” he said. “My advice and the advice of the Financial Advisory Council is do everything we can to not touch this project because we think it’s so important to the community.”
The board did not make any decisions regarding the budget, but agreed to continue the conversation with the FAC as planning moves forward.
Supervisor Colleen Lutz reported that the town’s recent tag sale raised about $500, to be split between Neighbors Helping Neighbors and the town camp. The proceeds were originally intended to be shared with the Ancram Fire Company also, but Town Board member and Fire Chief David Boice suggested the two-way split at the meeting.
In other news, the board approved a motion authorizing Highway Superintendent Jim Miller to accept a $27,000 bid from Ancram Construction for a 20-ton tag-along trailer. The board also passed a resolution to establish a police budget line in the town budget, and moved $2,000 into it.