Washingtonville Responds to Budget Queries; Graber Joins Ethics Board

At their February 3rd Washingtonville Village Board Meeting the primary topic of the evening was an official vote passing the 2026-2027 Budget which includes a 4% tax increase. The Village Board was well prepared and stood by their vows of full transparency in case any of the several frequently vocal residents disagreed with any of the line item expenditures. A 4% increase this year covers payments on the deficit loan they inherited, and is in line with the average of our neighboring communities. Treasurer Leslie Tillotson presented a full analysis of the line items including several that the State Comptroller's Office had questions about in regard to whether predicted income vs. cost related to several line items was realistic or whether they might result in a "shortfall". On each such item Tillotson conveyed their reasoning, (see list below) primarily consisting of a comparison of income derived last year's related to payments of water and sewer bills, property taxes, grants, etc., and amounts and grants already received on those line items to date this year, emphasizing that they also have $80,000 in a Contingency Fund that could be used if any of their estimates were 'off'. Further, Mayor Tom DeVinko added that the Ban funds they had received to cover the crushing shortfalls they had walked into when elected have been converted into Bonds which will yield a savings due to their lower interest rate.

Still, some critics wanted to know why, if there was fund money that could be used to pay off more of the debt, why were they not doing so. But it's the same quandry that each of us faces with our own budget. Do we bring our bank balance to zero to make sure there is no interest on payments due? Or do we pay what we can yet keeping a priority on maintaining a reasonable balance in the account to cover any unforseen emergency or opportunity that could bring a larger savings on longterm necessities with greater benefits. This is the quandry of all of us on "the first of the month" and the "first month of a new fiscal year".

Ironically it is probably the most popular expense of 2025 that is taking the most hits from a few critics..... that of the Village's new Pickelball Courts. Much of this year they were filled with residents of all ages getting some great moderate exercise. But some thought that the expense could have been better spent using some of the bond money to knock down additional several years of remaining balance of the bond and its interest. Actually the Pickleball Courts are paid for by developer fees, that are required and go directly into the Village's Recreation Fund...and that is the only way they are allowed to be used.

Mayor Devinko reminded anyone who might not be aware that no taxpayer money was used on the Pickleball Courts project. "We have a rec fund and any money that comes in from developers is put (as required by code) in that account for recreation. When the Rieger Highgrove development was completed there were fees to be collected, which we did, and we put those portions of dollars to the Pickleball courts."

Clearly the Village believes that in saving significant interest by converting the bans to bonds (a common practice which only permitted after initial payments have been satisfied), plus their $80,000 contingency is enough of a benefit to cover the cost IF therte are any minor shortfalls in budget calculations. There is also some some expected and potential extra income in the relatively near future. Just a few of tho items include a big project on the Spindler property, several grants (an MS4 study for one), and an OK from a second safety study by engineers that after minimal repairs on the Village Hall's second floor it would be acceptable for use and potentially leased as office space, as long as weight limits are followed. All things being considered, the Board and its Treasurer felt that a 4% increase (not out of line with other municipalities in the area) is acceptable.

The response that Mayor DeVinko and Treasurer Leslie Tillotson gave to the NY Comptroller's Office after receiving a couple of negative comments on the lengthy dozens of line items overall budget included (the full budget and OSC full report and OSC Letter are on the Village's website under "Documents":

OSC - Office of the State Comptroller Comments

1.OSC- Late and delinquent audits: Village- Reports for Audits on the terms of 24/25 and 2024/25 is scheduled for the first week of March 2026. And Auditors and Consultants have been working diligently to catch up on the reports for 2023/2024, which have been after issues of data that was extremely difficult to assemble were located, much of it not not readily available (in boxes or unavailable) when this board took office... to the extent that the current administration had to seek clarity on overdue bills by discussing them with the companies that had provided services without receiving payment during the previous administration, and much of the data had been filed in the General Fund instead of detailed line items.

2.OSC-Sewer Charges facility fees deficit bond if the required board action is not taken could have a shortfall. Village response- The Village is adopting to the new facility fee for deficit bonds so there will not be a shortfall in revenues. The Village did inform the State that the Board will be adopting this new facility fee.

3.OSC-There could be a potential shortfall in the water rents. Village- The 2026-2027 budget was based on actual year-to-date billing reports. The Village and department heads monitor budgets, however the Village is confident in their projections for the water rents.

4.OSC-There could be a potential shortfall in mortgage tax. Village- For fiscal year 2024-2025 the Village received $194,089 in mortgage tax revenue and in fiscal year 2025-2026 the Village received $184,237. The Village's estimate of $160,000 for 2026/2027 is reasonable.

5.OSC- We were unable to reasonably estimate personal service costs. Village- The Village provided a detailed salary schgedule for administrative staff, DPW and Police DPW, and Police are contractual and that is what is budgeted in the 2025/2027 budget. The estimate for overtime of $215,000 is reasonable and the Police Chief and Board agree with thge estimate in the 2026/2027 budget.

6.OSC- Potential shortfall in Contingency. Village- The Village closely monitors the budget and the $80,000 budgeted for contingency is reasonable.

In Other Village News: Bill Graber was officially sworn in as a member of the

Washingtonville Ethics Committee. Graber is a longtime Washingtonville resident and regular official meeting attendee who had been encouraged by both board members and residents to apply for a chair on the Ethics Committee for several months.

Deputy Mayor, Steve Presser reported that after months of work the Summer Saturday Night Musical and Dance Festivities are lined up and they are pretty well booked through mid-September, so get your dancing shoes ready! Donna Jacaruso gave her report on income derived to day from the Building Department (primarily from building permits) and Susan Walski reported on income from the Water Department.