Information Regarding Upcoming Village Ballot Proposition
Posted on: October 27, 2023 - 9:56am
On November 7, 2023, voters in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson will be asked to approve an amendment to the Croton-on-Hudson Volunteer Fire Department’s Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP).
Following discussion earlier this year, the Village Board of Trustees adopted a resolution unanimously on June 26, 2023, to authorize an amendment to the program to extend the maximum number of years of Service Credit for which a qualified volunteer firefighter may earn a Service Award to 40 years and increase the monthly Service Award to $30, which represents a maximum monthly Service Award of $1,200.
The General Municipal Law requires that any amendments to the LOSAP are a subject for mandatory referendum of all voters, which is why this proposition is being presented to the electorate on Election Day.
What Exactly is a Length of Service Award Program?
As the fire department in Croton-on-Hudson is an all-volunteer organization, the New York State Legislature has authorized municipalities to establish pension programs called the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) in an effort to recruit and retain volunteers. According to data compiled by the State of New York, over the past 23 years, the number of volunteer firefighters in New York has decreased from 110,000 to 75,000, a 32% drop. During that same period, call volume has increased by 29%.
The Croton-on-Hudson LOSAP was established following its approval by voters at a referendum in 2003. The original LOSAP called for members of the fire department to earn a monthly Service Award of $20 per month, based on a maximum of 20 years of Service Credit. This represented a maximum monthly Service Award of $400.
Who qualifies for LOSAP?
Firefighters must earn a certain number of points under the program each year by attending drills, training classes, alarm responses, meetings and other functions. In 2022, approximately one-third of firefighters earned a year of Service Credit.
How will the proposition appear on the ballot?
The proposition language can be found below. All voters will be asked to respond yes or no:
The Board of trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson adopted a resolution on JUNE 26, 2023, authorizing, pursuant to article 11-A of the general municipal law of the state of New York, a public referendum of eligible voters of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson. The Referendum seeks approval of the aforementioned resolution to amend the defined benefit service award program, which was established by the Board of Trustees effective January 1, 2004. The Village of Croton-on-Hudson funds and administers the program for active volunteer firefighters of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson.
If approved, the amendment would be effective January 1, 2024, and would increase the years of service credit that can be earned by a volunteer under the program from twenty (20) to forty (40) years and increase the monthly service award to $30 for years of service credit earned after 2023.
The annual funding cost of the current program for 2023 was about $120,000 ($1,034 per participating volunteer). The current cost of administration is about $7,200 per year. The annual funding cost of the amended program for current volunteers is estimated to be about $220,000 ($1,897 per participating volunteer). There will be no increase in the program administration costs as a result of this amendment. The failure of the amendment to be approved by the voters of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson will in no way affect the provisions of the service award program presently in effect.
Therefore, shall the stated resolution to amend the Village of Croton-on-Hudson service award program be approved?
What is the cost of the LOSAP to the Village?
The annual funding cost of the current program for 2023 was approximately $120,000 ($1,034 per participating volunteer). This amount is approximately 0.6% of the 2023-2024 General Fund Budget. The current cost of administering the program is about $7,200 per year.
What is the projected cost of the amended LOSAP to the Village?
The annual funding cost of the amended program is projected to be $220,000 ($1,897 per participating volunteer). This amount is approximately 1% of the 2023-2024 General Fund budget. The cost of administering the program is projected to remain $7,200 per year.
Further questions regarding the upcoming referendum may be directed to Village Manager Bryan Healy at bhealy@crotononhudson-ny.gov or 914-271-4848.