Board outlines budget strategy and steps to pursue federal and state relief after plant shutdown
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Summary
Superintendent and trustees described a budget framework that combines cost savings, state aid and $6.6M from a tax‑mitigation reserve with an estimated 8.24% levy increase; they also reported active advocacy for federal (Stranded Act) and state mitigation funds to replace roughly $25M in lost pilot revenue.
The superintendent and board leaders used Wednesday’s meeting to summarize budget strategy for the coming year and urge community advocacy for legislative relief.
Superintendent Michael Trombley said the district faces a projected 6.6% increase in expenses driven principally by rising health‑insurance costs, contractual obligations, and debt service. To balance the budget administration recommended a mix of cost‑cutting, anticipated state aid, approximately $6.6 million from the tax‑mitigation reserve and a projected local tax‑levy increase of 8.24%, subject to change during the line‑by‑line deliberations.
“We are addressing a 6.6% budget‑to‑budget increase through appropriate cost cutting and the use of allowable resources including state aid and approximately $6,600,000 from the tax mitigation reserve fund,” Trombley said.
Board leaders also described legislative advocacy after the loss of a major $25 million pilot payment associated with a local power plant shutdown. They reported that Congressman Michael Lawler introduced a revised Stranded Act and that Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s office has signaled willingness to support the revised legislation. Trustees said the current draft could yield roughly $26 million in annual revenue to the district if enacted and implemented as described.
Why it matters: The district’s approach to covering rising costs affects tax levy projections that voters will decide in May. The potential federal aid described by trustees would materially change the budget picture, so the board urged residents to contact elected officials and participate in planned advocacy actions.
Next steps: The administration will continue detailed line‑by‑line budget work, host public budget forums, and the board will continue outreach to state and federal representatives.
