The Town Board recently approved the 2017 Budget. As I always mention it’s a challenge to continue to provide the great services we have in Camillus while keeping costs in line, many which are not under our control. By working diligently with our department heads we were able to stay under the NYS tax cap with a modest increase of 1.35%. Through the last several years we have been able maintain these cost and the budget still has a per unit rate of $6.7054, the same rate we had in 1996-97. In addition to utilizing reserve funds we are also: replacing our Zamboni that will be needed next year; hiring an additional part-time Code Enforcement Officer due to increase work demands including the new rental property registry/inspection, hiring an additional Police Officer dedicated to Traffic, costs associated with our new Splash Pad, an increase in the utilization of our Senior Programs, funds from the Town’s reserves were used to supplement the Highway Department budget, and Fairmount Fire Department costs are up due to the Town’s financial support for a fire tower. Other town costs such as fire protection, ambulance service, contractual raises and health care are always difficult.