Proposed 2023 Budget Calls for Increased Taxes for Most of Ramapo

Rockland Daily Staff

Town Supervisor Michael Specht's proposed $124.9 million 2023 budget includes property tax increases for property owners (outside Suffern) along with 3% raises for town personnel and elected officials.

Taxpayers in Suffern can expect to save $37 from 2022 and would pay $844 in 2023. Suffern Village provides police, code enforcement, public works, fire protection, and other services.

Taxpayers located in the Villages of Wesley Hills, New Hempstead, Montebello, Chestnut Ridge, Kaser, Airmont, New Square, Pomona, Sloatsburg, and Hillburn would pay $125 more in 2023 taxes than they paid in 2022, or a total of $2,570. The ten Villages receive town police and emergency medical services only.

Taxpayers in the Village of Spring Valley would pay $2 more in 2023 than in 2022, which would be $937. The Village of Spring Valley provides residents with its own police force, highway, fire protection, and public works.

Non-village residents would pay $59 more in 2023 than in 2022 or $3,643. Services for non-village residents include police, emergency medical services like ambulances, sewer, lighting, and collection of trash and recyclables.

According to Specht, the tax increase is due to "across-the-board inflationary price increases, especially related to the cost of fuel, utilities, and insurance."

The supervisor says, "No other significant spending increases are anticipated."

The new budget represents a $5.2 million increase over the $119.7 million budget in 2022. It relies on having $1 million drawn from the Town's accumulated fund balance to assist in keeping property taxes stable.

Additionally, the 2023 tentative spending plan provides for cost-of-living wage increases of 3% for elected officials, Town board members, union employees, and management. 

A public hearing will be scheduled on or before November 10 after Town Board members review the tentative budget. The board will subsequently adopt a budget on or before November 20.