Confronting Difficulties in Town of Lansing Financial Trouble

The tax increases the Town is experiencing now were entirely foreseeable years ago. For six years, Joe consistently advocated for the adoption of five-year budget projections and long-term capital plans—tools that New York State recommends for responsible fiscal management. Time and again, he urged the previous Town of Lansing leadership to take a long-term view of our finances. 

During many of the last 5 years, Lansing was running a deficit and spending down its reserves to keep taxes artificially low. While the Town was living off its savings, costs were steadily increasing—especially in areas like health insurance, which has risen dramatically. Simultaneously, as Lansing put commitments in place to rebuild the public works facility, our reserves were also largely depleted. 

A five-year projection would have made clear just how short-sighted that approach was. Only in the past two years, under Town Supervisor Ruth Groff, has the Town finally begun implementing measures to better anticipate and manage the financial pressures Lansing faces today.

Joe is committed to seeing the town prosper with improved fiscal accounting, strong economic development investments, and smart policies that protect and strengthen our resources for today and future generations.  

What about the 72% increase in the tax levy?

Some write-in candidates have presented numbers that do not reflect the full story of our town’s budget. During many of the last 5 years, Lansing ran a deficit, drawing down reserves to keep taxes artificially low. While the town relied on savings, costs continued to rise, especially in areas like health insurance, which increased 50%. Today, as Lansing moves forward with essential projects such as rebuilding the public works facility, our reserves are largely depleted. A five-year projection would have made clear just how short-sighted that approach was.

The rise in the tax levy in the last five years is largely driven by unavoidable staffing costs, which have increased about 43 percent. These costs include necessary cost-of-living adjustments and retention raises, which are critical to keeping our town competitive in the regional job market. We have also hired approximately five new employees to address staffing shortages caused by deep cuts under previous administrations. Those cuts left departments stretched thin, which drove up overtime and contributed to employee burnout.

In addition, the cost of goods and services has risen roughly 48 percent, a reality that every household and business has felt.

In short, our budget decisions have been responsible, necessary, and forward-looking. They are designed to restore stability, efficiency, and high-quality services after years of underinvestment. These choices put Lansing on a stronger and more sustainable path for the future.