PRESS RELEASE
November 12, 2020
Contact: Office of the Supervisor
(631) 283-6055
At a Special Meeting on Thursday, November 12, the Southampton Town Board unanimously adopted the 2021 Budget and the 2021 – 2025 Capital Program and Capital Budget. In addition, the Board approved an amendment to the Capital Budget to include a project to upgrade filtration at one well site for the Hampton Bays Water District.
The 2021 Budget, first presented to the Board and the public on September 24, 2020, is essentially unchanged. Other than adjustments to authorize additional spending in Special Districts and to account for rollover funds in the Capital Budget, the approved budget remains consistent with the budget as initially proposed by the Supervisor. The 2021 Budget makes the necessary adjustments to accommodate an unusually high increase (11%) in the contribution the Town is required to make to the NYS Retirement Fund, as well as losses in revenue and increased expenses resulting from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supervisor Schneiderman stated, “This budget was the most challenging the Town has confronted since the economic downturn in 2009 and 2010.” Although the Town has always taken a conservative approach to budgeting, revenues were below what was anticipated and in many cases operational costs were increased. “Although some services had to be streamlined,” the Supervisor added, “the enormous increase in our population beginning as early as April placed increased demand on many essential services and, as a result, increased costs.”
Those challenges aside, the 2021 Budget remains below the NYS 2% Tax Cap. It funds the establishment of a Westhampton Community Center, the creation of a Southampton Community Access Channel, and increased funding in public safety services, while maintaining the current levels of service of other Town departments.
The Supervisor thanked his fellow Board members for their input and support throughout the budget process. He also thanked staff who did the hard work of creating a structurally balanced budget that protects both the taxpayer as well as the Town’s financial well-being.
2021 Operating and Capital Budget