2024 budget: Setting the record straight (Oct. 2023)

Misinformation about the Town of Hurley’s 2024 budget proposal and fiscal standing has made its way to local news media, and clarifications are necessary.

Contrary to what’s been stated on at least one local news website:

* The New York State Comptroller’s Office did not issue a "negative fiscal stress rating" for Hurley. Fiscal stress is scored from zero to 100 by the Comptroller's Office, with the lowest numbers being the best. Hurley scored a 3. (See tinyurl.com/yxy8nt7h.) Towns aren't even considered "susceptible to fiscal stress" until their score exceeds 45.

* The state DID note that Hurley has a “negative operating deficit,” as claimed, but that’s simply an accounting phrase that means the town has an “operating surplus.”

* The budget proposal was never "mysteriously ... removed" from the town website after being posted. It was posted on Monday, Oct. 3 (at tinyurl.com/3mj8nwu4), and it's been on the site ever since.

* Town Supervisor Melinda McKnight prepares town financial reports on a regular basis, and they’re posted on both the town’s website and Facebook page.

* New York State does not require equalization rates in its municipalities to be 100%, though that’s the goal. Such a rate has been impossible to attain in Hurley and surrounding towns in recent years because of fast-rising real estate prices. Hurley’s current equalization rate is 64.4%. Among nearby towns, Woodstock’s is 46.5%, Marbletown’s is 61%, Rosendale’s is 65%, and Rochester’s is 63%. The New York State webpage about equalization rates can be found at tinyurl.com/5e2swusf.