by Rachel Hunter
The Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees at its April 15 meeting adopted the 2025-26 budget for the fiscal year (June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026). The motion was made by Trustee Troy Besaw, and seconded by Trustee Shelly Simons-Washburn. The motion carried without discussion. All votes were cast in favor.
The Village of Gouverneur has set the tax rate at $12.47 per thousand. “The Village Board as previously discussed to the public has agreed it is necessary to raise taxes for the second time recently due to inflation expenses while still providing the same service to the community,” Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall said. “The rate increase is 1.9% and does not exceed the NYS property tax cap.
“Additionally the Board felt compelled based upon our experience and cost within the past budget year to increase both water and sewer rates by 3.45%.” The Water Rent is set at $90.00 per unit per quarter, and $159.78 per unit per quarter for outside water users. The Sewer Rent is set at $90.00 per unit per quarter, and $154.97 per unit per quarter for outside sewer users.
This year’s “Message from the Mayor” continues as follows: “Several significant factors have impacted this budget,” Mayor McDougall said. “They are inclusive of: The total assessed value for the Village is 116,104,965 representing an increase of 1,449,053.
“Utilities Gross Receipts Tax was increased by $5,000 and Franchise Fees for Spectrum were decreased by $1,000.
“Aim Related Payments revenue budgeted is $41,141.
“Mortgage tax revenue budgeted is $15,000 down $5,000 from last year.
“Anticipated street rehabilitation are scheduled to include Depot, Averell and Scotch Settlement Streets.
“The Town of Gouverneur will be contributing $13,000 towards the Recreation Center expenditures.
“The Town of Fowler will be contributing $1,200 towards the Recreation Center expenditures.
“The NYS Retirement bill for February 2025 was $164,423 for the Employee’s Pension and $140,753 for the Police Pension. This bill also has a savings of $1,182 in Employees’ Pension and $1,012 in Police Pension because it was paid before December 15th
“Workers Compensation budget amount was decreased by $1,000.
“Serial Bonds debt payments including principal and interest represent a total of $398,171.
“The Village is in our sixth year of not having any open Bond Anticipation Notes.
“Fund Balance will be used in all funds to balance the budget. The General Fund will use $100,000, the Water Fund will use $290,000 and the Sewer Fund will use $175,000.
“The Mayor will receive $14,103.00/year, the Deputy Mayor will receive $11,282.46/year and the Board of Trustees will receive $8,461.82/year.
“The general fund has contained monies for the Library, Museum, Senior Citizens Organization, the Gouverneur Cemetery Association, Gouverneur Riverview Park and the Fire Department. The amount of these contracts are as follows: $5,000.00 for the Library, $1,554.17 for the Museum, $746.08 for the Senior Citizens Organization, $3,514.97 for the Cemetery Association, $6,400 for Gouverneur Riverview Park, and $130,554.48 for the Fire Department.
“As in past years, the budget contains specific reserve funds. All reserve funds are necessary for the Village to purchase new equipment, make improvements or undertake repairs that may arise in the future. These funds help us maintain and improve our existing facilities and equipment.
“Sidewalk grant monies are available to homeowners, business owners and landlords. Please contact Rachel Scott in the Village Clerk’s Office for information.
“In this budget there are no planned layoffs. However we do plan on filling an open position in the Gouverneur Police Department in addition to adding a full time Patrolman.
“At this time I continue to serve as Chairperson of the St. Lawrence County Mayors Association. We continue to meet quarterly and discuss many aspects of local Village and City Governments. We also have a great deal of communication and cooperation between the St. Lawrence Mayors Association and the County Townships.
“In shared services we continue to partner with other governmental entities such as NYS, St. Lawrence County, Town of Gouverneur and our School District along with other governmental municipal agencies.
“In the public housing arena the rehabilitation of Phase 2 of Cambray Housing began in earnest at the beginning of last year. I am happy to say that I continue to serve as chair of the Cambray Housing Board. This project was completed in the fourth quarter of this past year.
“In the area of public safety we have established a neighborhood watch activity which is being coordinated by Deputy Mayor Charles Newvine. This past year we have had several meetings and as an outcome the Village has appropriated certain funds along with other pledged donations to install up to 10 security cameras at various Village locations.
“The NYS budget is late again this year. As of this writing (04/04/2025) they have a second budget extender that expires on Monday, April 7, 2025. As many aspects of the budget affects our village it is yet to be determined how much state aid there will be for our budget in general along with various road improvement programs. However, it would appear that there will be significant revenue support in these areas when the state budget is finalized.
“Our local Gouverneur Community Center which has been a successful Village and Town venture continues to be very busy and a great community success story. We continue to partner with the St Lawrence County Meals on Wheels program which serves the greater Gouverneur area and is a much needed program.
“In closing it should be noted that while we still face many challenges that we have seen a significant increase in project applications that are being addressed at the Planning and Zoning Board levels. We have received a number of infrastructure grants in the past year. Also of most significance was an award that was announced for a downtown revitalization project by Governor Hochul on March 14th of this year. It is a significant grant of 4.5 million dollars which will aid in significant rehabilitation of our downtown areas. As we move into this budget year I am still optimistic that better days lay ahead for the Village of Gouverneur. Godspeed and be well my friends.”
The next regular meeting of the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 6 p.m., in the municipal courtroom. For more information, call 315-287-1720.