WASHINGTONVILLE – The State Comptroller’s Office has issued a critical report of the Village of Washingtonville’s proposed $7.4 million 2026-27 budget, calling it unreasonable, noting that the municipality lacks complete, accurate and current accounting and financial records.
The Comptroller’s Office noted that Washingtonville leadership fully implemented only one of the seven recommendations from its January 2025 budget review letter, adding that certain significant revenue and expenditure projections in the proposed budget appear unreasonable.
“While the scope of our review was limited because of the village’s accounting records, the Comptroller’s Office found certain areas of concern in the Village of Washingtonville’s tentative budget,” said Rebecca Dangoor, a spokesperson for the Comptroller’s Office. “We hope they act on our recommendations, which are meant to guide them as they work to improve the financial condition of the village.”
Village of Washingtonville Mayor Tom DeVinko declined to comment on Monday night. However., he said he would have a response for the Comptroller’s Office on Tuesday. The report highlighted several potential shortfalls in the budget with State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s noting:
- The budget includes water rents revenue of $986,000 and State Aid – Mortgage Tax revenue of $160,000. The Village could potentially face a shortfall of approximately $93,400 in water rents and approximately $65,300 State Aid – Mortgage Tax if revenues are not realized.
- The budget includes personal services of $3.9 million (41 percent of the Village’s general fund appropriations budget). The Village did not provide detailed salary schedules including the calculations used to project personal services. The lack of support for this estimate could significantly impact the Village’s 2026-27 operating results if this estimate is not reasonable.
- Police overtime appropriations totaling $215,000 could be underestimated by $73,100.
- The appropriation of approximately $139,600 for payments due to the New York State Local Retirement System is underestimated by approximately $40,000.
- The budget includes an $80,000 general fund contingency; this amount is 1 percent of the Village’s general fund budgeted appropriations and an increase of $5,000 from the 2025-26 adopted budget. Additionally, there is a $20,000 contingency budgeted in the water fund and no contingency for the sewer fund.
- The budget includes a tax levy of $5.6 million. It appears the Village may be over the tax cap by as much as $60,300. However, Village officials provided a proposed local law to override the limit.
The Comptroller’s Office has requested that Washingtonville submit an adopted budget for review. The plan will be reviewed, and DiNapoli’s Office will make recommendations, as deemed appropriate.
Recommendations, if any, are made after the examination of the Village’s estimates of revenues and expenditures. The Village Board, no later than five days prior to the adoption of the budget, must review all recommendations made by the State Comptroller and must make adjustments to its tentative budget consistent with those recommendations contained in its report.
It has been recommended that Washingtonville adopt a budget that includes a tax levy no greater than the tax levy limit (tax cap) unless a local law is adopted to override the limit. DeVinko’s team must also review the proposed estimates for revenues and expenditures and amend as necessary.
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