June 9, 2008

 

Dear Milan Resident,

Supervisor Barrett issued a financial assessment for the Town through the first quarter of the year at the last Town Board meeting on May 14.  It is regrettable that the Supervisor spends so much time trying to lay blame on his predecessors.  I would ask all to reflect on the fact that the prior administration developed this budget in advance of the election last year and expected to win.  We were committed to live with the budget we planned, and we believe the current administration can do so as well.

Town taxes for 2008 increased by over 10%, the result primarily of having to make up with property taxes for declining revenues from mortgage taxes.  Yet the Supervisor bemoans a reduction in the General Fund budget to run Town Hall . . . $13,010 less than last year’s expense, or a 1.5% reduction.  The prior administration identified in the budget numerous areas to realize reductions.  Would the current administration have raised taxes even more?

The 2007 administration well understood the difficulty of this financial year, although, at the time the budget was prepared, no one could predict additional law suits, the substantial increase in gas prices affecting the highway department, and the additional shortfall in mortgage taxes.  Yet there are some bright spots – higher than budgeted fines and forfeiture revenues, anticipated higher sales tax receipts (a result of the dramatic increase in gas prices), and an increase in state CHIPS funding to support highway maintenance.  The Town also has the prospect of state indemnification of legal expenses on the lawsuits initiated by Red Wing, which enables the Town Board members to appeal these rulings and fulfill their campaign commitments to prevent new mining.

While this is an even more difficult budget year than was anticipated, the sky is not falling.  Milan can manage its financial affairs successfully.  However, rather than wage partisan political battles, we will all better serve the Town if we understand the changed circumstances and work together to live within the Town’s means in this difficult budget year. 

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Ross Williams, Town Board Member, RWilliamsTown@gmail.com
Diane May, Town Board Member, DianeMayTown@gmail.com

 

 

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