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CLYMER -- Clymer's town board discussed and officially approved the budget for 2024 at their most recent meeting.
Budget Officer Reilly Enlow presented the budget to the board and discussed appropriation and revenue changes since 2023.
"Our tax levy amount is $471,091," Enlow said. "We're looking to override it by $10,284.98 for a grand total of $481,375.98."
Things that do not go into the tax levy include the fire district, water district and special light. The board also voted to approve a local law to allow for the tax levy to exceed the two percent increase.
Enlow went through the general fund and highway fund with the board. Medical insurance was one item on the budget that increased so the town will be paying 85% for employees.
"That gets us closer to where the neighboring towns are at," Town Supervisor Brian Willink said. "We were paying 70 and the employees were paying 30 and some towns are 100 and zero. So, we had to get up to speed a little bit and now we're hitting the midline."
Appropriation changes since 2023 in the budget include; two plow trucks for $514,000 paid over five years, New York State Retirement increased 16%, Health Insurance increased 11%, and an inflationary wage increase. For revenues, the sales tax increase is to be used as an unexpended balance in 2024.
Willink praised Enlow for her work preparing the budget.
"As you can tell, Reilly's put a ton of time into getting the budget and payroll and everything kind of in line with reality, so kudos to her," Willink said. "I think this is fairly easy to read and decipher and is something we can build off of."
The town voted and approved the 2024 town budget.
In other news:
All town board members and elected positions were reelected on Election Day.
New emails for town board members and officers are expected to be up in November. The website is now live and being updated with more current information from board meetings.
The town board discussed the current situation of Clymer pond and the algae and smell problems that have been occurring. Highway Superintendent, Scott Trisket reported that Soil and Water came and did studies, determining that it is a settlement pond and will cost the board around $1 million to dredge it. The geese are also a major cause of the problem and the board is looking to keep their ears open about possibilities for what to do.
Another community member seeking to do an Eagle Scout project has approached the board in regards to anything else they can do for the town park.