Ogdensburg council debates 2024 budget, recommends staff raises and increases to key line items

The Ogdensburg Mayor and Council spent a substantial portion of its March 25 meeting reviewing the draft 2024 budget, weighing modest levy changes, staffing raises and equipment purchases that would shift the borough’s spending priorities.

CFO Mike Marceau told the council the current draft is $1,658 higher than the 2023 budget — about a 0.06% increase, or roughly $1.89 per household — and explained that each $26,000 added or removed would change the levy by approximately 1%. Marceau said the council can adjust how much is taken from fund balance, which would affect the levy.

Council discussion covered health insurance and benefit waivers, DPW staffing and equipment to increase in‑house capabilities (mini excavator, roller, hot box, locator, jumping jack), and fire department capital needs (turnout gear and a concrete pad). Members debated salary increases after prior raises were approved: Councilwoman Ruitenberg said comparable municipalities had provided raises of 3–4% and asked the council to consider boosting staff raises above 2%; Mayor Hutnick expressed support and asked the CFO for a cost breakdown.

Specific recommended changes to the draft were recorded: Mayor and Council O/E from $7,000 to $10,500; Police Maintenance Agreement from $16,700 to $17,700; Police weapons from $1,000 to $5,000; Fire Department total from $27,500 to $30,500 (to be split among line items); Streets and Roads repairs from $12,000 to $25,000. The council also discussed whether some DPW purchases could be funded through the water budget and noted that many purchases are made via cooperative purchasing (COOP) agreements.

CFO Marceau was asked to provide a historical fund‑balance analysis (2004–2023) and a cost breakdown to clarify the fiscal impact of any additional salary adjustments. The council left further adjustments for future action when the budget is introduced and voted on.