This past week Mayor George Nussbaum released his preliminary budget proposal for the 1999-2000 fiscal year. This budget of $4,685,282, represents a property tax rate of $6.15 per $100 of assessed valuation, which is the same as it has been for the past two years.

The budget itself is a slight increase from last year's budget of $4,266,749. There is a change in Total Assessed Valuation from $36,954,999 to $36,995,959. In the mayor's budget message he explains that in spite of a $170,489 reduction on the LIPA special franchise assessment, the TAV has increased due to the addition of eight new homes in the village, over 165 completed home building improvements, and residences that have been returned to full valuation through sale. That return to full valuation is on homes that were previously owned by veterans or seniors who have relocated, thus bringing those homes back to full assessment.

Some additions included in the budget are for computer upgrades, drainage systems and contractual staff increases.

The computer upgrades will bring the village into compliance with Y2K standards. At the preliminary budget hearing, held on March 8, the Mayor stated that he expects the computers to be in good order in time for the new millennium.

The drainage system increases include monies for storm sewers and catch basins. The mayor went on to add that while in Albany last week State Senator Fuschillo indicated that there might be grant money available to help deflect drainage costs. If that money comes through it would go into the budget surplus.

The contractual staff increases in the budget are for the 22 elected and appointed officials. That increase is the same amount as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which, for this year, is 1.6 percent. This increase for the 22 officials represents a total of $1,032.

Nussbaum explained at the budget hearing that village officials were told to figure on a flat rate in state aid so in his budget he has figured in the same amount of state aid as the village received last year. Last year they budgeted $245,000 in state aid and received $255,000. This year the preliminary budget has $255,000 figured in for state aid. Nussbaum added, "We're up there pushing for an increase in state aid. If it comes in it would go in additional monies." He said that he does not like to anticipate what is coming in from Albany so they always figure conservatively.

At the budget hearing Nussbaum pointed out the differences in taxes between the incorporated village and the unincorporated areas. An average home in the village, assessed at $7,000 costs $1.20 more a year than a house in the unincorporated village. He explained that for 10 cents more a month a resident in Massapequa Park has all the advantages of having an incorporated village.

Monies that are in surplus from last year's budget will be going toward paying back the bonds and interest on those bonds. Nussbaum pointed out that currently the bond money that the village has invested is earning half a percent more than interest being paid on the bonds.

Nussbaum expects that the budget will be adopted at the village meeting which will be held the second Monday in April. This approval will be the week after the board reorganization meeting on April 5, so the budget, proposed by Nussbaum, will be adopted under the new mayor and board. All changes in the budget must be made in April because the state mandates that village budgets be adopted before May 1.

The mayor concluded his budget message with the statement, "The tax rate of $6.15 per $100 of Village Assessed Valuation represents no increase, while enabling us to expand services, programs and events. The village staff and elected officials of Massapequa Park are proud to say that they are able to provide efficient services to its taxpayers."