Shown chatting before this month’s Syracuse Town Council meeting are, from left, Councilmen Tom Hoover, Larry Siegel, Bill Musser, Paul Stoelting and Town Attorney Vern Landis.

SYRACUSE —  The Syracuse Town Council had its first look at 2019 budgets during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, July 17. The grand total for all of the budgets for 2019 is proposed at $2,004,777 with the maximum tax levy at $2,114,434.33 meaning the town will come $21,434 under the maximum levy.

While several departments had increases on some line items, most department budgets showed decreases. Part of this was due to a change in estimating the expected increase for the town’s health insurance plan. Rather than having departments budget for a large cushion for health insurance, Paula Kehr-Wicker, clerk-treasurer, took the average cost of insurance for the last 5 years and added a 15 percent increase.

The only department to show an increase for 2019 was the town manager’s budget which has an increase of $9, 250. Henry DeJulia, town manager explained the increase was due to the town not being prepared for some projects in 2018 and appropriations had to be made.

Police Chief Jim Layne explained he had an increase in his budget to purchase new video equipment for the interrogation room and new radar, both of which were originally purchased second hand from other departments. Layne said he will be applying for a grant for the new radar system, but he’s not sure if the department will be awarded any money.

Other increases included paying for officers to attend the police academy and training subscriptions. Despite the increases, the police budget was estimated at $1,103,470, a decrease of $15,980.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported his budget is $503,060, a decrease of $4,359 while having a staff member move from part-time to full-time with insurance benefits.

Robin Merchant presented a budget is $933,000, a decrease of $66,020 while there are some increases due to staffing and pay increases based on job performance.

The clerk’s budget for 2019 is estimated at $651,770, a decrease of $5,650 with increases in a new social media program and increases to the code book based on the number of ordinances passed. Maintenance contracts for items in the town hall have also increases.

Council members had few questions for department heads as they made their presentations.