Schuyler Legislature adopts 2015 budget

MONTOUR FALLS--The Schuyler County Legislature approved their 2015 budget Monday, Nov. 10 at the Schuyler County Human Services Complex in Montour Falls. The final adopted budget contained a tax levy increase of 0.87 percent, with a tax rate decrease of 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

Prior to adoption, the legislature held a public hearing where more than 30 people attended to hear a presentation by County Administrator Tim O'Hearn. O'Hearn said the budget remains within the tax cap, which would have allowed for a maximum tax levy increase of 2.32 percent. He said this will result in residents receiving rebate checks under the state's tax freeze program, which should result in a rebate of just more than $15. O'Hearn said for next year, the county will have to submit a plan to the state to reduce the tax levy by 1 percent for next year's budget, adding the plan will need to be submitted by next June.
"To lower taxes, you have to either cut expenses or increase revenues," O'Hearn said. "We try to do both."
O'Hearn addressed the county's fund balance, which he said is the sole reason the county was labeled being under "significant fiscal stress." He said the county is starting to see some positive results in regards to replenishing it, adding since 2006 some $5.8 million in fund balance has been used to offset the tax levy. O'Hearn said an additional $2 million was earmarked for projects during this time.
"We cut it close, but I think we are on the right track," O'Hearn said. "[...] All of our problems come from not having enough money for a rainy day."
Also addressed was the economic growth in the area, with O'Hearn saying he continues to see both private and public investment in the community. He said despite the closing of Camp Monterey, it is being considered as part of an economic transformation program. He cited the former Shepard Niles site and the former Watkins Glen middle school building as areas with good potential for development, while adding current businesses like Ben and Jerry's and Nickel's Pit BBQ as businesses that are continuing to grow.
In other business:
• The legislature held a public hearing regarding the completion and filing of the Lamoka/Waneta Lakes Protection and Rehabilitation District. Chairman Dennis Fagan said this is an annual resolution that generates some $130,000 from a tax on lakefront property depending on how much square footage of shoreline a property owner has. Fagan said there were no plans to raise the rates due to not wanting to cause any problems with the property owners who are already dissatisfied with the native and invasive plant issues they have been dealing with on the lakes.
• The legislature held a public hearing on a local law setting salaries for certain public officers for 2015. The salaries set include $86,700 for the commissioner of social services, $82,752 for the real property tax director, $85,729 for the public defender, $60,364 for the undersheriff and $78,804 for the highway superintendent. It also includes $71,400 for the personnel officer, $102,959 for the county attorney, $$58,140 for the clerk of the legislature and $86,700 for the chief assistant district attorney.