Town proposes 8.4% tax increase Rotterdam officials cite employee pay, benefits as reasons for hike
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer First published: Wednesday, October 4, 2006
ROTTERDAM -- Property taxes would climb 8.4 percent under a $16.8 million budget proposal slated to be introduced to Town Board members Thursday. The proposed increase in the 2007 spending plan would push the current overall tax rate from $139.12 to $150.77 per $1,000 of assessed value, town Comptroller Patrick Aragosa said.
The town uses the fractionalized value of 2.95 percent of the market value. For a homeowner with a residence assessed at the average of $4,000, that means about $46.64 more in taxes next year, Aragosa said.
The comptroller and Town Supervisor Steven Tommasone attributed the lion's share of the tax rate hike to union-negotiated contract raises and employee benefits.
The tax levy -- the amount to be raised by taxes -- in the two general and highway funds is just under $10 million.
Tommasone lamented that the town used about $4.5 million in surplus money from 2003 to 2006, saying he plans to gradually wean Rotterdam off using the dollars to balance the budget. "You can't operate a town in that manner," he said.
The proposed spending plan draws on $700,000 in surplus, Aragosa said. He said the figure was $1 million in 2006.
The supervisor is optimistic the board will find ways to trim the budget during its review. Residents will have a chance to weigh in on the spending proposal later this month, likely on Oct. 25, with a final adoption vote set for Nov. 8, Tommasone said.
Taxes rise in 2007 budget plan Preliminary figures factor in added expenses for employees BY MATT VOLKE Gazette Reporter
Rotterdam’s spending and taxes are likely to increase next year, according to the preliminary budget. Taxes could go up 8.4 percent, a $46.64 increase in the average town bill. Rotterdam Comptroller Patrick Aragosa said the general fund is up 11.5 percent, or $740,303, from this year’s $12.4 million budget. He said contract negotiations with the CSEA and police unions are coming this year and are expected to mean salary increases. Benefit costs are also up. The town’s former police commission added two new police positions, making up about a third of the $358,474 increase in salaries, Aragosa said. Contracted services including legal fees and street lighting were also up to $250,873. The town has several pending cases over tax assessments, including General Electric Co. However, Aragosa said the increase is typical of the economy. Last year, taxes went up 8.9 percent. "I think this budget maintains the level of services people are used to and reflects the climate," he said. "Unfortunately, things go up. We’re a labor-intensive organization and a service provider." Supervisor Steven Tommasone said the preliminary budget can change, and he wants to work with department heads to cut costs where possible. "In my opinion, it’s a good budget, but it’s still early," Tommasone said. Tommasone was also critical of the previous administration’s use of the budget surplus. Between 2003 and 2006, the town used $4.5 million, an average of $1.1 million a year. This year’s proposed budget uses $700,000. Tommasone said a public hearing will likely be held at the Oct. 25 Town Board meeting, and a final vote will come in early November.
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