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Coeymans board extends budget-officer stipend amid debate over disclosure
Summary
The board extended a $15,000 budget-officer stipend (prorated through Dec. 31, 2026) and amended the 2026 salary schedule, prompting debate about whether the stipend should be incorporated into a named salary line or handled via local law and permissive referendum.
The Coeymans Town Board on Jan. 20 extended the appointment of Supervisor Steven Donnelly as budget officer and authorized a $15,000 stipend (prorated) for that role through Dec. 31, 2026. The board also amended the employee salary schedule in a separate resolution.
Transparency and remedies: Several members said the stipend and related compensation had not been clearly disclosed in previous budgets and argued for more transparent presentation going forward. One council member recommended either including the stipend as a visible line-item in next year’s budget or pursuing a local law to make the compensation part of the base salary. Legal counsel and the Association of Towns advised that raising the core salary would trigger a permissive referendum process and take longer; keeping the payment as a separate stipend provides the board more flexibility to adjust or rescind it if duties change.
Board action and rationale: The board voted to extend the budget-officer appointment with the $15,000 stipend (prorated). Supporters said the stipend recognizes substantial additional duties performed by the budget officer and recommended that the 2027 budget include explicit disclosure of the stipend. Opponents pressed for a permanent, transparent salary change via the budget process or local law rather than monthly or ad-hoc stipends.
Other personnel actions: The board also authorized the hiring of a part-time police officer, James J. Halenbeck, to fill a vacancy at $35.25 per hour, with a Jan. 26 start date.
Next steps: The board said it will include the stipend on next year’s budget notice or consider a local-law route after further discussion; the town clerk and budget staff were asked to prepare clearer public disclosure for the next budget cycle.
