TOWN OF DEERPARK – Democratic supervisor candidate Stephanie Vandemark is criticizing Deerpark’s proposed 2027 budget, calling the planned use of $1.52 million in fund balance fiscally reckless and warning it could lead to future deficits.
“Using a huge amount of the town’s fund balance is fiscally reckless and will inevitably lead us to deficit financing,” Vandemark said. “If a household drains their savings when an emergency strikes, they will have no protection; the same holds for a town.”
The proposed $7.25 million preliminary budget, presented by Supervisor Alan Schock, calls for a 4.9% increase in spending and an approximately 5.2% increase in the tax levy. Schock has not returned messages seeking comment about the budget.
The budget would use $1.52 million in fund balance, an increase of $225,000 from the amount appropriated in the 2026 budget. The money would cover about 21% of proposed spending.
The town appropriated approximately $6 million in fund balance between 2021 and 2026, according to figures presented during the budget review.
Continued reliance on reserves to cover operating expenses can leave a municipality with fewer resources to address unexpected costs and revenue shortfalls. Without spending reductions or additional revenue, declining reserves could increase pressure on future budgets and taxpayers.
Budget pressures include personnel and employee benefit costs, overtime, highway expenses and the use of one-time resources to support ongoing operations. Town officials have said they are reviewing departmental spending, contracts and other potential cost reductions as they work toward adopting the 2027 budget.
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