Letter to the Editor: Tuckahoe Mayor Steven Ecklond Responds to Comptroller's 'Fiscal Stress' Report

Written by Tuckahoe Mayor Steven Ecklond

The Village of Tuckahoe has been recently categorized by the NYS Comptroller’s office as having significant fiscal stress based on its analysis of the Village’s May 31, 2014 financial statement report.

The predominant factor in this rating was a snapshot of a temporarily low fund balance which was on the books at the end of our fiscal year.

The Village Board and I expected this low fund balance because of approved long-term borrowing by the Village for some capital expense projects and large tax certiorari claims that had yet to be borrowed but had been prepaid out of our fund balance prior to closing our books on May 31, 2014.

The long-term borrowing was approved and our general fund balance was restored to near pre-audit levels shortly afterward. There was never a significant shortage in the actual funds available to the Village.

Like other municipalities in our situation, this rating was a result of the timing of the audit. The circumstances that led to this situation have now been rectified and had the snapshot of our finances been taken at the time the borrowing took place, I believe the fiscal stress designation given to the Village would not have occurred.

We are happy to see very significant investment and development in all four corners of our Village and the goal of my administration has and will continue to keep a conservative fiscal approach towards the long-term financial strength of our Village.

Photo: Tuckahoe Mayor Steven Ecklond