East Hills' budget keeps taxes unchanged

The  East Hills village board of trustees last week adopted a $10.9-million budget for fiscal 2011-2012 that will lead to a 4.7 percent reduction in spending and no increase in residential property taxes.

The tax rate of $24.67 per $100 total assessed value will remain unchanged.

The board of trustees cut spending to hold costs down. Mayor Michael Koblenz said the purchase of three Department of Public Works trucks was put on hold, some jobs were left unfilled and several security positions were filled by part-time workers who do not get benefits.

The board also used $1.77 million in surplus funds, leaving a surplus fund balance of $4.17 million.