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Proposed $33.3M operating plan would raise expenses 2.8% and draw $397,000 from reserves, college finance director says
Summary
College finance presenter told Warren County finance and budget committee the proposed fiscal 2025–26 operating budget totals about $33.3 million, calls for a 2.8% increase in operating expenses, reflects a less‑than‑2% rise in salaries and a 12% rise in benefits, and would reduce the college's fund balance by $397,000 to about 9.6% coverage.
Keith, the college finance presenter, told the Warren County finance and budget committee that the proposed 2025–26 operating budget totals about $33,300,000 and would increase operating expenses by 2.8 percent while drawing $397,000 from the college's fund balance.
"We're gonna have to dip into our fund balance by $397,000," Keith said, explaining the college enacted a fund balance policy calling for 8%–16% coverage and that the projected balance after the draw would be about 9.6 percent. He said the college plans conservatively to protect long‑term sustainability while budgeting modest personnel savings from unfilled positions and deferred equipment purchases.
Keith said the college's operating revenue is driven by five main sources, led by student tuition. He said the student share of operating revenue is about 41.5 percent, local sponsor support and county chargebacks together account for roughly 34.5 percent (with the two sponsor counties contributing about 14 percent), and state aid has remained relatively flat and is now less than 25 percent of the revenue picture. He said state aid used to be close to 30 percent.
On expenses, Keith said salaries are slated to rise by less than 2 percent overall while employee benefits are projected to increase about 12 percent, driven mainly by health insurance and pension costs. The budget also assumes targeted hiring freezes and deferred computer replacements; those discretionary equipment purchases would be revisited if enrollment or grant revenues are higher than projected.
Keith said the college expects an 8 percent increase in new student registration for fall compared with the prior year and has seen strong summer enrollment. He highlighted the state‑level SUNY Reconnect initiative (described by presenters as free community college for qualifying adult learners) and said the college had received more than 400 inquiries and an information session with roughly 60 attendees shortly after the program announcement.
During the meeting the finance committee moved to call the committee to order and later approved a motion to accept the proposed budget (the transcript records a motion and the response "I approve," but does not record a roll‑call vote tally). County supervisors and committee members offered public thanks to Dr. Duffy for 12 years of service to the college and the meeting adjourned afterward.
