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Business News
Frankfort, N.Y. —
The Frankfort Village Board of Trustees Thursday night did not take any action regarding whether to cut any of the village's police force as it faces stiff financial pressure.
Mayor Frank Moracco prior to the meeting acknowledged the police force is on the chopping block, but would not say what specifically could be cut, besides saying the job of police Chief Ronald Petrie is safe.
The village has four full-time police officers.
After a closed-door meeting Thursday night, the board said they would look at the current budget and make recommendations by Thursday, Sept. 6.
"We're looking at all possibilities, nothing is set in stone," said Trustee Mark Harris, who also is the public safety commissioner.
The village has struggled with big-ticket spending items that were out of its control in recent years, Moracco said.
This year alone, an unexpected $60,000 came in an assessment grievance lawsuit, and another $60,000 is needed to demolish a structure that has become a public safety issue, he said.
The village had a shortfall of $50,000 in its 2011 - 2012 budget, and its recent budget, which began in June, uses $165,000 in fund balance to hold the tax rate to 2 percent.
The village’s current budget projects $1.62 million in spending.
The problem, Moracco said, is a one-percent tax increase in the village nets only about $8,000 annually, so it’s difficult to raise revenue.
So when holes arise, the only option is cutting expenses, he said.
Moracco said the village has two public works positions that haven’t been filled due to budgetary concerns.
The Frankfort Village Board of Trustees Thursday night did not take any action regarding whether to cut any of the village's police force as it faces stiff financial pressure.
Mayor Frank Moracco prior to the meeting acknowledged the police force is on the chopping block, but would not say what specifically could be cut, besides saying the job of police Chief Ronald Petrie is safe.
The village has four full-time police officers.
After a closed-door meeting Thursday night, the board said they would look at the current budget and make recommendations by Thursday, Sept. 6.
"We're looking at all possibilities, nothing is set in stone," said Trustee Mark Harris, who also is the public safety commissioner.
The village has struggled with big-ticket spending items that were out of its control in recent years, Moracco said.
This year alone, an unexpected $60,000 came in an assessment grievance lawsuit, and another $60,000 is needed to demolish a structure that has become a public safety issue, he said.
The village had a shortfall of $50,000 in its 2011 - 2012 budget, and its recent budget, which began in June, uses $165,000 in fund balance to hold the tax rate to 2 percent.
The village’s current budget projects $1.62 million in spending.
The problem, Moracco said, is a one-percent tax increase in the village nets only about $8,000 annually, so it’s difficult to raise revenue.
So when holes arise, the only option is cutting expenses, he said.
Moracco said the village has two public works positions that haven’t been filled due to budgetary concerns.
