Seneca Falls’ 2027 budget remained unfinished Tuesday after the Town Board rejected a tax-cap override and began the process of dissolving the Department of Public Works, setting up further debate over taxes, staffing and town services.
The Nov. 3 meeting also brought a 3-2 vote to terminate accounting services with ProNexus without immediately selecting a replacement. Together, the decisions left several major financial and operational questions unresolved ahead of additional meetings next week.
The Public Works department was not immediately eliminated. Town Attorney Patrick Morrell said the board’s action starts a local-law process, with a public hearing and further consideration expected in December.
Tax disagreement sends budget back for revisions
The proposed budget included a 4% tax increase, but board members rejected the local law needed to override the state tax levy limit. They then postponed adopting the spending plan.
Members scheduled a budget workshop for Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. and a special meeting for Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.
The decision followed public criticism of spending and appeals to consider residents struggling with household costs.
Frank Blaskowitz, a West Bayard Street resident, said his household’s monthly expenses had increased by $800 over three years. He questioned proposed spending on accounting, technology and economic development, among other budget items.
Brad Jones urged board members to pursue cuts, including changes to outside accounting services and Public Works, rather than approve another tax increase.
Board members disagreed over how to balance affordability with rising operating expenses. One argued that approximately $188,000 could be found through other budget changes or reserves to avoid the proposed increase. Another supported the 4% increase, citing inflation and a reported 17.5% rise in health insurance costs.
The failed override did not establish a final tax rate. Instead, it sent the budget back for revisions.
Public Works debate turns tense
The effort to dissolve Public Works prompted the night’s sharpest exchange.
Supporters argued that responsibilities should return to elected Highway Superintendent Jeremy Wendt and that operating a separate department duplicates costs and undermines the position voters elected him to fill.
Supervisor Frank Schmitter disputed the potential savings. He argued that the public works director saves money by overseeing projects and reducing the need for outside engineering services.
“You will not save any money,” Schmitter said.
Another member urged the board to wait until the upcoming budget discussions before making a decision.
After confusion over a motion to postpone the issue, the board proceeded with the dissolution proposal. Morrell then clarified that additional steps remained.
“So right now, this is not done,” he said. “This is the beginning.”
Staffing and budget arrangements associated with a potential dissolution remained unresolved.
Separately, the board tabled a resolution addressing disputed state filing requirements for the law establishing Public Works.
The proposed resolution alleged that the law’s text had been omitted from an earlier filing and would have directed Clerk Melissa Brown to submit corrective documents within 48 hours. It also proposed authorizing court action if the filing did not occur.
Brown disputed responsibility for the missing material, saying she could not file something she had never received. The board postponed that resolution until the special meeting next week.
Board ends ProNexus services, delays replacement choice
Members voted 3-2 to terminate ProNexus’s accounting services after amending a proposal that would also have authorized an agreement with Bonadio.
Instead, the board opted to await proposals due Nov. 6 before deciding on a replacement at the Nov. 12 meeting.
The proposed Bonadio engagement included assistance closing accounting records and preparing for independent audits covering 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Bonadio estimated fees of $50,000 to $75,000 for each year of records, putting the combined estimate at $150,000 to $225,000. The proposal covered accounting assistance and audit preparation, rather than conducting the audits themselves.
Residents had questioned the expense of outside accounting services during the budget hearing. Board discussion also acknowledged that work remained necessary to bring the town’s books up to date.
Committee urges saving for life after landfill revenue
Financial Resilience Committee representative John Sandlas presented a strategy for reducing the town’s long-term dependence on landfill revenue.
The committee recommended placing an appropriate share of available, uncommitted money into reserves and directing future landfill revenue not needed for operations into those accounts.
Under its baseline assumptions, including landfill payments through 2040 and annual operating-cost growth of 3%, accumulated resources could support town operations through 2051. Once those resources were exhausted, the model projected an annual operating shortfall of approximately $11 million.
Sandlas emphasized that the model was a projection rather than a guarantee. The committee requested a proposed resolution for December establishing a reserve-funding policy, annual reviews and reporting.
Members also discussed how the projections depend on future landfill operations and revenue.
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