Richmond’s Town Board revised several spending lines in its proposed 2027 budget at a Sept. 29 workshop, including eliminating a $34,988 highway personnel appropriation and reducing another operating line by $9,000.
The changes came as officials weighed departmental requests and community priorities ranging from park maintenance and Main Street improvements to Honeoye Lake protection. The budget remains under development, with another workshop scheduled for Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.
Supervisor Mike Baker presented an executive budget proposal during the special meeting at Town Hall, attended by all five board members and 12 residents and guests. The workshop followed a Sept. 8 board meeting that outlined several requests and projects entering the budget process.
The Sept. 29 minutes do not list a total proposed budget, tax rate or tax levy increase.
Board adjusts spending and revenue
The workshop minutes record changes to six appropriation lines and one revenue estimate.
The combined salary appropriation for the town’s two justices increased from $32,786 to $33,769.58, or $16,884.79 per justice. Two other personnel lines increased from $37,491 to $38,616.76 and from $6,483 to $7,293.43.
One operating appropriation increased from $12,000 to $14,000, while another decreased from $14,000 to $5,000. The highway personnel line fell from $34,988 to zero.
The minutes do not explain the reason for removing that highway appropriation or identify whether it represents a vacancy, reassignment or another budgeting change.
A revenue projection also increased from $50,000 to $52,000.
Christine Green presented information about Allens Hill Library’s programs and future plans. The library requested $25,500, the same amount as last year. The minutes record the request without identifying a separate funding decision.
The workshop agenda called for officials to consider essential services, projects that could be deferred, opportunities for reductions and possible grants or shared services. It also outlined scenarios centered on maintaining services, supporting board priorities and limiting the tax burden.
Tax cap override approved earlier
At the Sept. 8 meeting, the board adopted Local Law No. 2 of 2026, overriding the tax levy limit, with all four members present voting in favor. Councilman Stephen Barnhoorn was absent.
The action preceded the detailed budget workshop. The supplied records do not establish whether the final 2027 levy will exceed the limit.
Baker said at the earlier meeting that department requests were largely assembled and would be reviewed with the town’s accounting firm alongside revenue projections. He set a goal of delivering a preliminary budget to the town clerk by Oct. 27, preferably sooner.
Officials also discussed a proposed fund balance policy, although no adoption was recorded in the transcript. Baker said the proposal would establish a target range and use financial reports to monitor the town’s reserves.
Parks and Main Street requests take shape
Community committees outlined several needs at the Sept. 8 meeting.
The Main Street enhancement committee said it was not seeking an overall funding increase. Its proposed work included approximately $1,000 for plaques identifying sculptures along the art walk and replacement of diseased Main Street trees.
The Parks Committee discussed additional part-time maintenance support, contracting for seasonal restroom cleaning and arranging spring treatment of invasive plants.
Officials also considered guidelines for sharing courts between pickleball and basketball players. The discussion focused on accommodating both activities, protecting the renovated courts and addressing litter without creating a rigid enforcement system.
Baker said the recreation department had requested an additional $5,000 in county funding. He also planned to discuss whether beach staffing could be extended through Labor Day.
A damaged boardwalk was another concern. Baker said the town would seek a contractor’s assessment of repairs after a fallen ash tree damaged the structure. No repair contract or cost was approved during that discussion.
Lake protection and redevelopment remain priorities
Honeoye Lake and watershed protection were among the potential strategic investments listed for budget consideration.
At the Sept. 8 meeting, a lake advisory report described fewer reported harmful algal blooms than during the previous season, while cautioning that September remains an important bloom period.
Officials also heard about sediment testing intended to assess whether an oxygenation system could help keep phosphorus bound in lake-bottom sediments. Results were expected in late October.
A Honeoye Valley Association representative described plans for a water-quality committee and requested town board participation.
Baker also reported ongoing community outreach for Honeoye Forward, the state-funded redevelopment planning effort focused on the Main Street corridor and connections toward Sandy Bottom Park. He described opportunities for business projects requiring a 25% match.
Those discussions provide context for the town’s budget priorities, but the Sept. 29 minutes do not record new funding commitments for the redevelopment effort, lake treatment or park projects.
The board’s next budget workshop is scheduled for Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.
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