The Gardiner City Council announced a proposed 13% tax increase in 2025, citing the need for emergency medical services (EMS) funding, cybersecurity and other costs.
At the Oct. 24 meeting, Supervisor Marybeth Majestic detailed a new budget item of $100,000 earmarked specifically for EMS support from the general fund.
“So for the general public, because we have so many people here today, this is the first Gardiner tax increase in years,” Majestic said. “And I’m going to tell you some important budget items that were not included in previous budgets that are contributing to this problem.”
Majestic explained that Gardiner’s transition to his adopted community has led to a reduction in local volunteers, impacting daytime EMS response times. The board’s plan includes compensation for volunteers who work shifts from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., which Majestic described as “essential” in the town’s rural areas and to ensure timely work. Emergency response is ensured. She pointed out that neighboring towns spend as much as $1 million a year on EMS services.
“There are fewer volunteers than in the past. Even in families that have volunteered for generations, today’s generation is not volunteering as much. And we, as a town hall, are We have committed to working with the Corps’ staff and hopefully working within a core group of volunteers, and to covering the work of the Rescue Squad from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., when most people are at work. I’m out,” Majestic explained. “We have no problem covering nights and weekends; it’s mostly daytime. And I will tell you that we have some really great volunteers right now who are working 12-hour shifts without pay and staying at the fire station.”
Majestic said that once the 2025 town budget is adopted, “we’ll have to roll up our sleeves because the items will require follow-up by the Town Board.” This includes the creation of a town-wide EMS district and the introduction of a new tax to fund the district.
Several nearby communities, including the Town of Montgomery, have recently established special emergency districts to help fund equipment, infrastructure and other needs for the community’s volunteer ambulance crews.
Emergency districts may also contract with organizations that provide emergency medical services or general ambulance services. The money that funds these services is raised through the taxes of residents living within the established districts. School districts can use the funds to purchase vehicles and equipment, pay for specialized training and salaries for paid paramedics, or contract with specialized ambulance services such as Ambulance. District tax collection is separate from city tax.
“I think it’s very important to have emergency services, and that’s one of the big highlights that was added to the budget,” Councilwoman Carol Richmond said. “I think this is the best given the other things are almost forced increases.”
Other budget items include $29,000 for cybersecurity measures mandated by insurance requirements and $5,000 to provide funding to grant makers. The Highway Department’s budget anticipates a $50,000 down payment on a new loader, and the sewer district will allocate $63,000 for a state-mandated sewer superintendent.
Medical expenses and retirement benefits also contributed to the tax increase. General Fund employee retirement benefits increased by 36.5%, Highway Fund retirement benefits increased by 45%, and retiree health insurance premiums increased by 24% along with this.
The board scheduled a public hearing on the budget Nov. 7 at 7:05 p.m. at Gardiner City Hall. The preliminary budget can be viewed at City Hall. The proposed salaries for key employees include $57,330 for superintendents and $77,433 for highway superintendents.
The total amount of taxes assessed is expected to increase from $2,759,096 to $3,124,544. Residents are being asked to voice their opinions on the budget, which includes consideration of funding for special districts such as Gardiner Fire and Sewer District 1.
