Brookhaven Notebook: 2012 Budget Process Begins

Last week Brookhaven Supervisor launched his budget call for 2012, introducing a new approach to the process dubbed “programmatic budgeting,” according to the town.

The approach, the town says, is part of the supervisor’s quality initiative, which is meant to improve efficiency.

In a statement, Lesko said the town has cut spending in its general fund by about 26 percent, cutting annual borrowing by 57 percent.

“We did all of this while maintaining our high bond ratings, not reducing services and, most importantly, freezing taxes two years in a row,” said Lesko in a statement. “However, given the continued volatility in the economy, we must remain vigilant if we hope to maintain fiscal stability. In order to institutionalize principles of fiscal responsibility, we must change our budgeting method and engage in long-term strategic thinking that is based on quantifiable data and hard decisions.”

In the past, the town used a cost-to-continue approach to budgeting, but Lesko and his staff feel the programmatic route will prove to be more effective. According to the town, the basic functions include:

• If a program works, they should know how well it works and why;
• If a program does not work, they should how bad the problem is and why;
• If they have to make a hard fiscal decision they should have data to support it;
• On a quarterly basis, commissioners and department heads will be required to present their progress on benchmarked items to the town board.

If all goes right, department heads will submit their operation budgets for next year sometime in June and the same department representatives will meet with members of Lesko’s office, the finance staff and town council to review individual budgets.

Lesko will file the 2012 proposed budget with the town clerk September 29 and the official public hearing will be held November 10 with a vote scheduled for November 15, according to the town.