ISland Park Sux
04-25-2011, 02:04 AM
Decreasing revenue, higher costs for employee benefits and additional employees led the Island Park Village board of trustees to raise taxes by almost 8 percent for the fiscal year beginning June 1.
The board earlier this month approved a $3.6 million budget for 2011-2012, an increase of 3.15 percent from the current year. The tax rate rose 7.74 percent to $31.18 per $100 net assessed value.
The increases were attributed partly to the loss of almost $60,000 in revenue, an increase in the cost of employee benefits of $52,000 and an additional $27,345 to hire a full-time employee and four seasonal workers to help the Department of Public Works, Mayor James R. Ruzicka said. He said there were no salary increases for the staff or the board.
At the village board meeting Thursday night, Ruzicka said the village would work with the Army Corps of Engineers on a plan to replenish sand on Little Beach near Hog Island Channel. The village would have to find money for the plan, he said.
"We had a lot of erosion and the beach is disappearing," Ruzicka said. "If we lose that beach, the water will go into the streets."
Residents also expressed concerns about what they said was increased drug activity at the Long Island Rail Road station behind village hall. A Nassau police officer encouraged residents to call police when they see suspicious activity at the station.
"It goes in waves," said Susan Faza, Island Park Civic Association president, who was at the meeting. "They catch the person and they come back after a while."
The village is also accepting applications for lifeguards and attendants at Masone Beach. Starting May 1, residents can apply to rent the gazebo at the beach for a $75 fee.
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The board earlier this month approved a $3.6 million budget for 2011-2012, an increase of 3.15 percent from the current year. The tax rate rose 7.74 percent to $31.18 per $100 net assessed value.
The increases were attributed partly to the loss of almost $60,000 in revenue, an increase in the cost of employee benefits of $52,000 and an additional $27,345 to hire a full-time employee and four seasonal workers to help the Department of Public Works, Mayor James R. Ruzicka said. He said there were no salary increases for the staff or the board.
At the village board meeting Thursday night, Ruzicka said the village would work with the Army Corps of Engineers on a plan to replenish sand on Little Beach near Hog Island Channel. The village would have to find money for the plan, he said.
"We had a lot of erosion and the beach is disappearing," Ruzicka said. "If we lose that beach, the water will go into the streets."
Residents also expressed concerns about what they said was increased drug activity at the Long Island Rail Road station behind village hall. A Nassau police officer encouraged residents to call police when they see suspicious activity at the station.
"It goes in waves," said Susan Faza, Island Park Civic Association president, who was at the meeting. "They catch the person and they come back after a while."
The village is also accepting applications for lifeguards and attendants at Masone Beach. Starting May 1, residents can apply to rent the gazebo at the beach for a $75 fee.
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