TOWN OF WALLKILL – Senator James Skoufis (D, Orange County) and Assemblywoman Paula Elaine Kay (D-Rock Hill) joined Town of Wallkill officials on Monday to announce they secured $4 million in this year’s final state budget to avert significant service cuts, job losses, and property tax hikes.
In January of this year, the town identified significant financial shortfalls due to longstanding irregularities in the municipality’s fiscal structure, according to Skoufis. Absent emergency state funding, Town of Wallkill residents faced burdensome property tax hikes or town services reduced to a bare minimum, including major layoffs to the police department and department of public works.
“The scale of layoffs and service cuts facing the Town of Wallkill would have been catastrophic,” said Senator Skoufis. “People expect the basics out of their government – paved roads, clean water, safe communities – and this state funding allows the town to continue to do just that. I’m grateful to have partners in Assemblymember Kay, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and town officials to bring our hard-earned tax dollars back home and support our community.”
“I take my role in providing our municipalities with the tools they need seriously, and that’s exactly what this investment represents,” Assemblywoman Kay said. “Supervisor DenDanto asked for our help, and Senator Skoufis and I got right to work finding funds so the town could continue providing essential services and avoid layoffs.”
With an infusion of $4 million – $2 million secured by Senator Skoufis and $2 million by Assemblymember Kay during state budget negotiations – the Town of Wallkill will be able to regain its financial footing while averting layoffs of approximately 97 employees. Previously projected layoffs included a 70% reduction in force at the police department, a 70% reduction at the department of public works, and a 90% reduction at the parks department.
“Without the forward-thinking vision of the State Senate and Assembly, the Town of Wallkill would have been forced to drastically pull back on staffing across the board,” said Supervisor DenDanto. “We are humbled by this action and stand prepared to press on using this momentum to repair the fiscal mismanagement of the past.”
Comments