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The only people who don't work for the Town of Lansing showed up for the 2008 budget hearing Wednesday were students required to attend municipal meetings for school credit.  With department heads and Town Board members ready to answer questions, there was nobody to ask them.  But the news wasn't surprising in a town that has kept at or below the rise in the Consumer Price Index year after year.  The town tax rate will increase only 3.22% this year.  "We always try to work with what department heads want," explained Councilwoman Connie Wilcox.  "But sometimes we just have to cut.  People think we don't cut -- we do.  Because we have to."

(Left to right) Bookkeeper/Personnel Officer Sharon Bowman, Principle Account Clerk Typist Charmagne Rumgay, Environmental Planner Darby Kiley	(Left to right) Deputy Highway Superintendent Charlie Purcell, Highway Superintendent Jack French, Park Superintendent and Recreation Director Steve Colt

"Across the board there was, in fact, a tremendous amount of give and take," Supervisor Steve Farkas said.  "There's a time when you have to come forth and say 'I want this.'  And we have to say to them, 'Well, what do you want to give up to get that?'  You try to find a middle ground.  I think that process works very well."

The absence of the public at budget hearings is usually considered to be a sign that residents are generally satisfied with town taxes and services.  But board members were distressed that not one member of the public was present.  "This is my fourth budget hearing," Wilcox said.  "It always amazes me that the public has lots of comment and clamor about a lot of things, but there is no one here tonight except for our government students, who are required to be here."

The proposed $5.8 million budget is paid for from three sources including estimated revenues, appropriated fund balance reserves, and taxes.  Only 34%, or $1,825,790.84 is paid for by 2008 taxes.  $3,459,353.36 in estimated revenues plus $437,200 taken from reserves makes up the rest.  Town officials say that they are only using 20% of available reserves, and because they estimate revenues so conservatively excess funds at the end of each year make the fund balance reserves robust on a year to year basis.

"If you look at our past budgets, the budget officer and his assistant have been conservative in presenting to us," explained Deputy Supervisor Bud Shattuck.  "I think you'll see we try not to budget on close line, and make sure we have money for things that come up, and make sure we have reserve funds down the road."

(Left to right) Supervisor Steve Farkas, Deputy Supervisor Bud Shattuck, Councilwoman Connie Wilcox, Councilmen Marty Christopher, Matt Besemer

In the past several years conservative estimates have meant excess unbudgeted revenues that could be used to bolster the reserve funds and to fund more projects.  But even with low estimates, sales tax revenues are down this year.  Officials say that they will make their goal again this year, though with less excess money.  "We just received our September sales tax allocation," said Bookkeeper/Personnel Officer Sharon Bowman.  "Two or three months ago I was saying to the Board that we might not make our projected sales tax revenue, but now I think we're going to be just fine.  It looks like there will be some excess, but it won't be as much as in the past."

Shattuck estimated that excess would amount to about $40,000 this year.  "It won't be as much as in the past," Bowman said.  "But it will still allow us to utilize that money and put some of it into the reserve funds."

Salaries, including modest raises for elected officials, are up, but officials note that savings on health benefits come from a recent agreement between the Town and the Teamsters union.  Lansing has about 40 full time employees, the majority of which work in the Highway Department.  The budget is complicated, because different expenses and revenue overlap between the parts of Lansing that do and don't include the Village of Lansing, not to mention five special lighting, sewer, and water districts.  The part of the budget affecting special districts only applies to residents and businesses within those districts.

In the absence of public comment, the Board approved the budget unanimously.  Wilcox thanked Bowman and  Principle Account Clerk Typist Charmagne Rumgay for all the work they put into the budget process, and helping the Board understand what is contained in it.  She also thanked the department heads for being there.

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