Glen Cove Adopts 2012 Budget

The Glen Cove City Council approved the proposed $46.5 million 2012 budget by a 5-1 vote at Tuesday's meeting at , with Councilwoman Delia DeRiggi-Whitton the lone "no" vote.

The budget adopted is a slightly adjusted spending and taxation plan from the one, as the final version will increase residential property taxes .58 percent, and commercial property 2.44 percent, down from .75 percent, and 2.61 percent, respectively.  For the average home worth $465,000, property taxes will increase just over $17 dollars per year.

The 2012 appropriations plan was a collaborative effort between the mayor, council, City Controller Sal Lombardi and the city's various departments, of whom each was asked to try to lower expenses. 

This year, and the state legislature have imposed a 2 percent property tax increase cap on local governments.  Meanwhile, pension costs, which are under state control, have burdened the city with about a $1 million increase, and health insurance costs have increased about $500 thousand, putting the city three times over the tax cap limit.

"There are provisions to override that, but we wanted to stay with the spirit with what they are trying to do," Suozzi said. "This is a good, tight budget, which is backed by good numbers."

Suozzi said that the property tax cap was met with lowering debt service payments by $750 thousand after borrowing less per year, reduction in staff totaling $550,000, and individual department-led cuts, such as the Senior Center, which was able to cut over $100 thousand from their 2012 budget.

Resident Gail Waller questioned the budget, pointing to $1.5 million in vehicle purchases between 2007 and 2011.

"If these are troubled times, this is not how to cut spending," said Waller.  "Something has to be changed soon, and I don't see it happening now."

Mayor Ralph Suozzi defended the city's fleet.

"The city needed garbage trucks, new recycling trucks, new ambulances, new police vehicles," he said.  "These are not cars for every day things, for instance: the police cars run 20 hours a day, driven by about 30 officers.  They age very quickly.  The ambulances, which we replaced, go on 2400 calls per year."

City controller Sal Lombardi said that additional savings from the Glen Cove Police Department are being negotiated.