Purpose of Budget Review

The purpose of our budget review was to determine whether the significant revenue and expenditure projections in the Town’s preliminary budget for the 2018 fiscal year are reasonable.

Background

The Town of Deerpark, located in Orange County, issued debt totaling $868,000 to liquidate the accumulated deficit in the Town’s general fund as of December 31, 2008. New York State Local Finance Law requires all municipalities that have been authorized to issue obligations to fund operating deficits to submit their preliminary budgets for the next fiscal year to the State Comptroller for review while the deficit obligations are outstanding.

Key Findings

• Based on the results of our review, we found that revenue and expenditure projections in the proposed budget are reasonable.
• The Town’s general fund balance has continued to increase for the past five years, from $898,669 to $1,459,107 (62 percent). This is a result of overestimating expenditures and underestimating revenues.
• The Town’s preliminary budget complies with the property tax levy limit.

Key Recommendations

• The Board should closely review budgeted revenues and appropriations compared to prior years, and adjust the budget as necessary.