OBSERVER Photo by Rebecca Cuthbert The Silver Creek Village Board voted Monday to pass the proposed 2017-2018 budget. From left: Trustee Warren Kelly, Trustee John Burt, Village Clerk Tom Postle, Mayor Nick Piccolo, Village Attorney Peter Clark, Trustee Jeff Hornburg and Trustee Vince Tampio.

SILVER CREEK — Silver Creek has set its budget numbers for the next fiscal year.

At Monday’s village board meeting, trustees voted unanimously to pass the 2017-2018 budget, and though it may defy assumptions, the tax rate for Silver Creek residents actually decreased.

The total budget is set at $2,653,301. The breakdown leaves taxpayers coming up with $1,186,797 for the general fund; $822,739 in water revenue; and $643,765 in sewer revenue. The tax rate is $14.92 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation, which shows a decrease of 2.33 percent from the previous year. The fiscal year begins June 1.

Mayor Nick Piccolo admitted that coming up with a budget that shows a decrease is no easy feat — especially with the low state-imposed tax cap.

“We looked like we’d never be able to get here when we first started,” he said. “Our tax cap was .64 percent. When New York state says ‘2 percent,’ I don’t know how they find that. I know the new math is a little different, but I don’t know where they comprehend 2 percent. But the people (on this board), Mr. (Warren) Kelly, Mr. (John) Burt, Mr. (Jeff) Hornburg, Mr. (Vince) Tampio, and myself, we worked hard to get to where we’re at, and some of us worked even harder. We just feel that in the last four years, I think we’ve had one increase, and the rest have all been decreases in the tax (numbers), and that’s very hard to do. Everything keeps going up, and revenue keeps going down.”

Trustee Warren Kelly said the savings did not come from cutting one large expense; instead, the village saved a lot of money by pinching one penny at a time.

“We took a little bit from everything,” Kelly said. “We’ve been tightening the purse strings on all the departments, plus ourselves, for the past four years.”

Piccolo added that the water and sewer departments are the only municipal departments that generate any revenue — all other services and areas take money out of the village’s piggy bank.

“I’ve got to commend our guys in the water and sewer departments,” Piccolo went on. “They’re changing out meters, and we’re noticing very accurate usage, which basically shows because we’ve got new water lines, a new plant back there. But their costs keep going up, too. Nothing’s ever cheaper (than it used to be).”

CSEA negotiations will also take place soon, Piccolo added. There are currently eight village employees who are members of the union.

“Mr. Kelly has included that in our fiscal year’s budget, in case there is a percentage of increase, we are prepared,” he said.

What it comes down to, Piccolo explained, was planning for the future.

“We think ahead,” he said. “Yes, we prepare an annual budget, but a lot of thought goes into what these gentlemen do, and we’re planning ahead two or three years down the road, because you never know what’s going to happen. We were blessed this year, we had a great winter, but we don’t know what the next two winters could bring.”

Piccolo then encouraged residents to thank the trustees for their successful financial planning for the village.

“If you see Mr. Kelly, and Mr. Burt, and Mr. Hornburg, and Mr. Tampio, you’re welcome to give them a pat on the back and shake their hands, because they really did a great job (on the budget),” he said.

Kelly said Piccolo deserves credit, too.

“Well,” said Piccolo, “it’s a joint effort.”

The next Silver Creek Village Board meeting is scheduled for May 15 at 7 p.m. in village hall. Residents are welcome. For more information on the budget, see Village Clerk Tom Postle.