Spring Valley mayor outlines first 100 days, warns of future financial challenges
Mayor Schenley Vital highlights code updates, grant funding, and a proposed tax increase during first 100 day address
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Spring Valley Mayor Schenley Vital updated the public on the state of the village after his administration's first 100 days in office. He issued a warning to residents about the financial hurdles Spring Valley is facing.
“The state of our village is not defined by the challenges we face. It's defined by new opportunities and new leadership,” Vital said.
Vital, who took office a little more than 100 days ago, said the village has already updated several local codes, secured grant funding, and settled its portion of a federal HUD lawsuit by committing to create 22 affordable housing units over the next few years.
He also delivered a stark message about the village’s financial outlook, saying past fiscal issues have created significant strain. To stabilize the budget, Vital is seeking a $20 million loan from Rockland County.
“I'm confident we'll do something. There's been positive feedback and reaction. We're proposing an interest rate, that way the broader communities' monies are being stewarded correctly,” he said.
Vital is also proposing a 12% village tax increase, which he says is necessary to put Spring Valley on firmer financial ground.
“When I came to office, all these bills came due on my watch. This will put us on a strong fiscal footing, and we just have to get serious about our fiscal stability, that way we can meet the needs of our residents,” he said.
Residents, local officials and community members attended the address, including Samuel Lamb, who said he appreciated the mayor’s transparency.
“He's coming in with a plan and he's making it very transparent to all of us. And that's something that we've missed in the past,” Lamb said.
Vital also noted that after several years without a contract, he is proposing a 20% pay increase for CSEA employees.
