Throne-Holst's Budget Keeps Taxes Stable, Proposes 15 Layoffs

Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst filed her preliminary 2012 budget on Friday, which calls for no increase in town taxes and could result in 15 layoffs.

The $80.2 million spending plan will cut six police officers; the rest of the layoffs, the supervisor said, could be averted through retirements and union concessions.

“I do hope the retirement incentive proves a valuable incentive to those eligible so we can revisit some of the staff reductions and instead consider furloughs or seasonal, temporary layoffs," Throne-Holst said. "This can only be accomplished if the three unions are willing to come to the table to discuss meaningful concessions."

Throne-Holst said six employees so far have expressed an interest in the retirement incentive, and are not included in the budget.

"Numerous and substantial organizational changes have been proposed," she said in a statement, "in order to maintain, and in some cases, improve service levels." According to the supervisor, funding is available from New York State to help implement the proposed changes.

Throne-Holst will make a formal presentation of her budget on Monday at 4 p.m.

The town has until Nov. 20 to adopt a final budget.