Port Chester Village Manager's Tentative Budget Plan Ready

Port Chester Village Manager Christopher Steers has given his tentative 2013-2014 village budget to the village Board of Trustees to begin reviewing.

The document looks at challenges facing the village this year and for the next five years.

In his summary to the Board of Trustees, Steers says:

I have been involved in the Village’s budget process for several years as a Department Head, and as your Assistant Village Manager, however this is my first fiscal budget that I have presented to the Board as your Village Manager. The development of this Tentative Budget has been very challenging. The current economic environment under which we and all other Westchester County governments are operating is extremely difficult. However, we must continue to deliver services to our community despite a continuing decline in operational revenues. Even so, our confidence in the continued successful and sound fiscal management of the Village remains high.

In sum the current economic realities create a rare opportunity for the Village to fundamentally change the way it does business within an economic environment where the status quo is unaffordable. With these realities in mind my directive to each of my Department Heads has been to aggressively seek out and implement cuts, focus on organizational efficacy and efficiency, and to think creatively in relation to identifying additional revenues. I have worked diligently with staff to cut expenditures, to identify increases in and potential increases in revenues, and to consolidate where appropriate. This Tentative Budget will enable and enhance the continuation of the current level of service delivery to the community, and the continued prioritization of Board policies and initiatives without necessitating any cuts in services, programs, and/or essential personnel. 

Click here to check out the document.