Rockland County Towns to relase 2009 Budgets by Ken Mahoney

TOWNS TO RELEASE ’09 BUDGETS

Towns across the county this week will present their preliminary budgets. Orangetown releases its spending sketch tonight. Clarkstown plans to unveil its proposal tomorrow. During his weekly radio update, Clarkstown Supervisor Alex Gromack this morning told WRCR the town is aiming at keeping its 2009 operating budget the same or less than the current year’s. Given shrinking mortgage and sales tax revenues this still means town residents will see an approximate 4% increase in their property levy.

The same challenge faces all towns and the county for that matter, which is struggling to budget for next year amid an $18-25 million dollar current budget shortfall. In addition to significant reductions in sales and mortgage taxes, local government is also feeling the pinch from smaller dividends on monies in savings accounts resulting from lowered interest rates.