Comptroller-requested transfers address operational needs as 2025 closes
December 23, 2025 | Town of Hempstead
The Town Board approved a series of budget line item modifications totaling more than $720,000 on Tuesday, redirecting funds across departments as the 2025 fiscal year draws to a close.
The transfers, proposed by the Town Comptroller, adjust allocations in at least 16 different departmental accounts—a routine but telling snapshot of where operational realities diverged from original budget projections.
Where the Money Is Going
| Department | Account Code | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| General Services | F010-A0001-D14900-611020 | $135,000 |
| Parks and Recreation | F400-A0007-D71100-611020 | $121,504 |
| Highway #1 Foreman | F041-A0003-D51100-611020 | $112,653 |
| Town Attorney | F010-A0001-D14200-611020 | $105,508 |
| General Services - Buildings & Grounds | F010-A0001-D14920-611020 | $57,442 |
| DGS - Traffic Control Division | F010-A0002-D33100-611020 | $53,048 |
| Sanitation | F300-A0006-D81100-611020 | $50,642 |
| Senior Enrichment | F010-A0004-D67720-611020 | $48,227 |
| Human Resources | F010-A0001-D14300-611020 | $6,171 |
| Public Safety | F010-A0002-D31200-611020 | $5,193 |
| DGS - Cemeteries Division | F010-A0006-D88100-611020 | $4,991 |
| Supervisor | F010-A0001-D12200-611020 | $5,000 |
| Councilmanic District - Minority | F010-A0001-D10170-611020 | $4,000 |
| Town Board District 1 | F010-A0001-D10110-611020 | $4,000 |
| Councilmanic District - Majority | F010-A0001-D10180-611020 | $2,000 |
| Town Board District 2 | F010-A0001-D10120-611020 | $2,000 |
| Building Department | F030-A0002-D36200-611020 | $2,983 |
Estimated Total: $720,362
What These Transfers Suggest
Year-end budget modifications are standard practice in municipal government, allowing departments to cover expenses that exceeded projections or address needs that emerged after the annual budget was adopted. However, the pattern of adjustments offers insight into operational pressures:
General Services leads the pack with $135,000 in additional funding, plus another $57,442 for Buildings & Grounds—suggesting facility maintenance, utilities, or operational costs ran higher than anticipated.
Parks and Recreation needed $121,504, possibly reflecting summer programming costs, facility repairs, or staffing needs that exceeded budget.
Highway operations required $112,653 in additional funds, which could reflect weather-related expenses, equipment repairs, or road maintenance demands.
The Town Attorney's office received $105,508—a significant adjustment that might indicate higher-than-expected legal costs, outside counsel fees, or litigation expenses.
Traffic Control ($53,048) and Sanitation ($50,642) round out the major operational adjustments.
Leaves of Absence Also Noted
The Comptroller's submission also referenced two memos regarding "various types of Leaves of Absence," though details were not included in the publicly available resolution materials. Such memos typically address personnel matters that may have budget implications.
Context
Budget transfers do not increase the Town's overall spending—they reallocate existing appropriations from accounts with surpluses to those facing shortfalls. The practice allows government to operate flexibly while maintaining the discipline of an annual budget process.
However, significant or recurring transfers to the same departments year after year can signal systematic underbudgeting that may warrant attention during future budget cycles.
The resolution was adopted by roll call vote at the December 23, 2025 Town Board meeting.