GUILDERLAND – City leaders have passed a $ 38.3 million budget that slightly increases taxes but restores money in several categories reduced by the pandemic last year.
Yet, according to a city statement, the “lingering impacts” of the pandemic persist; there will be no new borrowings or withdrawals from the reserve accounts for 2022. Officials will add funds to the reserve accounts for improvements. They expect 12.6 percent more revenue from sales taxes and more state roadside assistance.
The city’s general tax rate is 18.6 cents per $ 1,000 of assessed assessment, an increase of 0.2% over the 2021 rate. The overall tax levy (including water, sewers and highways) increased 1.9%, which is lower than state tax.
The budget restores funding for staffing, vehicle replacements, technology upgrades and public improvements, according to the city. Here are the other planned expenses:
Wages to increase by 2.5 percent for unionized and non-unionized employees
Transfers $ 583,000 to reserves for capital accounts and revaluation
Pay an additional building / fire inspector, traffic control officer and seasonal staff for the recreation program
Invest in new software and hardware for virtual broadcasts
Acquires vehicles for the home inspector, dog unit, police and animals
control
Allows you to buy the lights from National Grid and convert them to LEDs
Advance of funds for the renovation of the Guilderland Performing Arts Center and improvements to Abele Park, Altamont Free Library and Mynderse-Frederick House
Includes the city’s share of funding for new sidewalks on Western Avenue to the Guilderland Public Library, on West Old State Road to Lynnwood Elementary, and on Carman Road to Pine Bush Elementary
Investing in new equipment for the maintenance of hiking trails and fire training