FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 9, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Bridget M. Harvey
PHONE: 585-485-9365
WEBSTER’S 2025 PRELIMINARY BUDGET DELIVERS SERVICES
AND PROTECTS TAXPAYERS
Preliminary budget touts infrastructure investments, economic growth, quality-of-life services;
Town of Webster prioritizes and protects taxpayers through responsible budgeting
Webster, NY – A resolution to adopt the 2025 tentative budget for the Town of Webster, making it the preliminary budget, was approved last week at the September 5 meeting of the Webster Town Board.
This comes after months of budget preparations led by Webster Director of Finance Paul Adams and Town Supervisor Tom Flaherty, who commenced the annual budget process in May. Last month, Webster officials presented their proposed department budgets to the Webster Town Board at workshops held August 1 and August 8. The budget will be subject to a public hearing in October prior to final approval.
The preliminary 2025 budget represents the town’s continued commitment to keeping Webster where life is worth living and includes investments in infrastructure, provisions for continued economic development, and the delivery of extraordinary quality-of-life services. The preliminary budget also protects taxpayers by staying below the tax cap and maintaining a relatively stable tax rate over the past six budget years.
“The primary role of the Town is to provide services at an affordable price,” said Flaherty. “The 2025 budget represents a significant investment in the Webster community through improving infrastructure, fostering economic growth and development, and supporting quality-of-life services and amenities. I look forward to continuing to advocate for responsible budgeting that makes Webster where life is worth living for our entire community.”
Investments in infrastructure
Timely investments in infrastructure equate to long-term cost savings. The 2025 budget contains significant investments in our Town in maintenance and improvements to Webster’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, provisions for equipment to maintain town roads, construction of the new highway building, and technology infrastructure to improve accessibility and reach.
Saving for the future
The budget also includes an investment of $540,000 into the Sewer Capital Reserve to support future sewer plant repairs and asset renewal. Investments in infrastructure in 2025 not only bolster the delivery of services to the Webster community but also save taxpayers money in the long run by ensuring projects are completed cost-effectively.
A focus on economic growth
The 2025 preliminary budget supports economic growth, investments in the Webster community, and an environment where residents and taxpayers can thrive. The transformation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant into a Water Resource Recovery Facility will generate significant revenue in the future and have a substantial impact on taxpayers’ wallets. The 2025 budget supports several community planning initiatives including improvements in the West Webster Hamlet and the update of the Town of Webster’s Comprehensive Plan.
Fostering economic growth makes the Town of Webster an attractive location for businesses like fairlife® to establish and invest in the community.
Delivery of quality-of-life services
The Town of Webster remains committed to delivering high-quality services to the community; this is reflected in the 2025 preliminary budget. This budget supports public safety through Webster’s highly trained police department, recreation programming, library services, and the maintenance and improvement of Webster’s town parks.
Funding for popular services including fall leaf pick up and spring mulch and wood chip delivery and pick up is also accounted for in the 2025 budget. These enhanced services and programs make the Town of Webster a sought-after place to live, work, and raise families.
Protecting taxpayers
The 2025 budget carries on the Town of Webster’s tradition of responsible budgeting. Over the past six months, the Town of Webster has worked diligently to build a budget that protects taxpayers while providing the services our community has come to expect. This budget remains under the New York State tax cap and maintains the relatively stable tax rate taxpayers have seen across the past six budget years. A focus on responsible budgeting has allowed the 2025 budget to be fiscally sound despite persistent inflation and increased debt related to various major capital projects.
The preliminary budget is subject to a public hearing which is tentatively scheduled for October 17. Consideration of the adoption of the 2025 final budget will take place in late October or early November.
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