Government Briefs 11.27.14
East Hampton Town
Accolades for Financial Reporting
East Hampton Town has received an award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for the quality of its annual financial report.
Just a few years — and two town administrations — after the town accumulated a $27 million deficit due to financial mismanagement, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has issued to East Hampton a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, described in a press release from the organization as “the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.”
The award recognizes the town’s “spirit of full disclosure” in its comprehensive annual financial report, and names Charlene Kagel, the town’s chief auditor, and Len Bernard, the budget officer, as recipients of “financial reporting achievement” awards for their preparation of the annual report.
Budget Adopted
The East Hampton Town Board unanimously adopted a $71.5 million operating budget for 2015 at a meeting last Thursday night. The budget will increase spending over last year by $2.1 million. Tax rates for each $100 of assessed value will be $28.90 for properties in the town, up 1.9 percent over last year, and $11.63 per $100 of assessed value for properties within incorporated villages, a 2.8-percent increase.
Salaries and employee benefits account for 58 percent of next year’s spending, debt payments, just over 18 percent, and other expenditures account for 23.5 percent of the budget.
Hunting Lottery
The town clerk’s office, which issues permits for deer hunting on town land, will accept applications for a lottery that will allot the permits for particular properties beginning on Dec. 8. Applications may be submitted until 4 p.m. on Dec. 19.
The 2015 season for deer hunting with shotguns opens at sunrise on Jan. 5 and runs through sunset on Jan. 31. At present, hunting is allowed on weekdays only, although weekend hunting is under discussion.
Town properties where hunting is allowed will be posted.