To the Editor:
As I wrote last year, it is essential that the Board of Trustees receive and accept the financial audit before developing a new and informed budget. Here we are again, no audit. I wrote to the Trustees and Mayor two weeks ago about my concern, but have not received a response.
I continue to hear that the excuse given for last year’s 14.8% property tax increase was that I had left the Village in a bad way. When the 2023 audit was finally released, it showed that the Village cash reserve (the “Fund Balance”) increased $1,151,202. You can see why having the audit before putting a budget to bed is a good idea.
The election for the next Mayor and Board is underway. Sleepy Hollow has extraordinary resources, including — especially — the amazing people in this community. My one hope is that the extraordinary progress we had been making on the mission and goals set forth in the Village Comprehensive Plan will be restored.
Ken Wray
Sleepy Hollow Mayor 2009-2023
