The supervisor noted in his statement that — at just over 12 percent — the spending plan will again exceed the Town Board's adopted policy of maintaining a fund balance within 10 percent
of general fund appropriations.
While the Highway and Water Funds will see significant increases under the new budget, these are partially counterbalanced by a significant drop in Sewer Fund expenditures following the payoff of a bond and a nearly
flat General Fund appropriation, up only.13 percent.
In the report on South Huntington, which covered July 2014 through December 2015, auditors said the school board and district officials
overestimated general fund appropriations in the last three adopted budgets, resulting in operating surpluses totaling approximately $ 10.6 million.
Premiums are higher than rates for healthy individuals, but lower than the actual cost of most participants» health care —
State general fund appropriations, grants from the federal government, and / or surtaxes on insurance premiums finance the pools» operating losses.
Ideally, states would
increase general fund appropriations to address the policies outlined in this report, recognizing that investing in young children is a public good that produces a significant return on investment.