County passes 2009 spending plan
NORWICH – No one spoke before a public hearing on the Chenango County 2009 budget package Tuesday evening; and the measure went before the full Board of Supervisors for a final vote Wednesday morning.
A real property tax levy of $22.7 million for 2009 was approved, marking the fourth consecutive year of average tax rate decreases. The 2009 average is $15.48 compared to the 2005 rate of $17.07. This is also the fourth consecutive year with a tax levy increase of less than 1 percent.
In delivering the 2009 budget, however, Budget Officer William E. Evans gave no assurances that the budget would be sufficient with New York state’s continual “shifting of burdens” to the local level.
“We are all aware that state and federal finances are in utter chaos,” he said.
“Might we be so bold as to suggest to our superior governments that they move away from smoke screens (i.e. property assessment manipulation) and power plays (i.e. undermining of Home Rule Rights) and finally consider their real problem of excessive spending? Perhaps a few lessons from our rural taxpayers on living within their means is in order.”
Board Chairman Richard B. Decker, R-N. Norwich, said the county was “very fortunate” to have outstanding department heads and standing committees that “work hard making decisions.”
The largest tax levy increases were the Department of Social Services ($348,486), County Road Program ($241,332), and the Board of Elections ($93,895).
Next year’s average countywide tax rate of $15.48 will fluctuate, either increasing or decreasing, in all 22 municipalities based on state-established equalization rates.
A real property tax levy of $22.7 million for 2009 was approved, marking the fourth consecutive year of average tax rate decreases. The 2009 average is $15.48 compared to the 2005 rate of $17.07. This is also the fourth consecutive year with a tax levy increase of less than 1 percent.
In delivering the 2009 budget, however, Budget Officer William E. Evans gave no assurances that the budget would be sufficient with New York state’s continual “shifting of burdens” to the local level.
“We are all aware that state and federal finances are in utter chaos,” he said.
“Might we be so bold as to suggest to our superior governments that they move away from smoke screens (i.e. property assessment manipulation) and power plays (i.e. undermining of Home Rule Rights) and finally consider their real problem of excessive spending? Perhaps a few lessons from our rural taxpayers on living within their means is in order.”
Board Chairman Richard B. Decker, R-N. Norwich, said the county was “very fortunate” to have outstanding department heads and standing committees that “work hard making decisions.”
The largest tax levy increases were the Department of Social Services ($348,486), County Road Program ($241,332), and the Board of Elections ($93,895).
Next year’s average countywide tax rate of $15.48 will fluctuate, either increasing or decreasing, in all 22 municipalities based on state-established equalization rates.
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