Millbrook’s 2020-21 budget ready to be signed

MILLBROOK — In a series of multiple meetings aired on Cable Channel 22 and the village website, www.villageofmillbrookny.com, on April 13, April 14 and April 17, the Village Board completed this year’s budget process. A public hearing notice was posted on the website, inviting residents to forward questions via e-mail; the proposed budget was also posted online. The meeting on the 13th was a point by point discussion of the fiscal plan; the meeting on the 14th was a regular board meeting and the meeting on the 15th opened the public hearing.

Two questions received from the public were not deemed relevant to the budget and were discussed at the regular meeting. A final meeting, held on Friday, April 17, was held to close the budget public hearing. The budget now contains money for contingencies and reserves for things such as fire and police vehicles that were not a permanent part of the budget under previous administrations, according to the Village Board.

The board plans to finalize the budget and Mayor Rodney Brown will sign off on the document on Tuesday, April 28, in time for it to be submitted to the state by the May 1 deadline. On Friday, April 24, the board met for about 15 minutes; the budget was agreed upon and made ready for the signing on the 28th.

Brown reported the tax levy is projected at $952,000, though it’s allowed to go up to $976,000 under the state-mandated tax cap. This means that a house worth $500,000 will pay approximately $52 more in taxes per year. 

The total revenue is expected to amount to $1,884,450. The fire contract amounts to $552,700, police fees come to $5,000 and the water tower rental amounts to $70,000.

Total revenues for the Water Fund come to $294,400; the debt service total comes to $75,400. Revenue for the Sewer Fund comes to $289,050.

The budget is available online in its entirety.

Other discussion centered on the rental of the Guertin Gym at Village Hall, to the Town of Washington Recreation Department. There are repairs that need to be made, a possible redesign of space and perhaps a rent increase, which still need to be discussed with the town. 

It was pointed out that Police Officer Jared Witt needs an office, and that the new space needs to be able to hold village records. 

Two bids have been received by the Delaware Corporation for repair work to be done on Harts Village Road. They hope to break ground by the end of May, as water treatment and service is still considered an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was announced that private parties are asking to refurbish the village tennis courts and the board has agreed; the supplies will be paid for by the village.

The mayor thanked the village and its residents for pulling together under the extraordinary circumstances taking place with today’s global health crisis.

The Village Board continues to hold virtual meetings,aired on Channel 22 and online, at www.villageofmillbrookny.com. The next meeting is set for Tuesday, April 28, at 6:30 p.m.