Area overrides cap less than state average

Feb 02, 2016 at 11:41 pm by Observer-Review


Area overrides cap less than state average ADVERTISEMENT

Area overrides cap less than state average

TRI-COUNTY AREA--New York State has implemented a mandated tax cap to help limit the annual growth of taxes collected. A state trend shows many municipalities have overridden these limits as tax caps have decreased. However, area towns, villages, counties and school districts have done a better job of staying within their limits. Last year, only four local municipalities voted to exceed the state tax cap for 2016, including the Dundee Central School District, the town of Torrey, the town of Milo and the town of Cayuta. This accounts for just 11.11 percent of the 36 area county, town, village and school districts. Meanwhile, according to the New York State Comptroller's Office 26 percent of municipalities across the state passed a tax cap waiver during this time.
However, schools and villages may have a more difficult time staying within their limits again as their fiscal years draw to a close. According to the comptroller's office, property tax levy growth for villages and school districts will be capped at 0.12 percent above current levels for the 2016-17 fiscal year. Meanwhile, towns and counties will be subject to a tax cap of 0.73 percent. The fiscal year ends May 31for villages and June 30 for schools, while towns and counties have a fiscal year that ends Dec. 31.
"The nearly zero growth in the tax cap will limit budget options for school and municipal officials as they plan for next year," said State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. "Although some local governments can rely on available reserve funds to bridge the gap, others may need to take a hard look at operations to find ways to cut costs to stay under the cap."
The village of Penn Yan has already set a public hearing for their February meeting for a possible tax cap waiver for the coming budget. While Dundee Mayor Fred Cratsley Jr. did not indicate whether the village would need to override, he previously stated "it's always a possibility." Penn Yan Superintendent said the board of education is currently seeking input from the community to gauge the willingness of the tax payers to support an override to protect programs. Watkins Glen School Superintendent Tom Phillips previously noted it remains an open question based on the amount of aid the district receives from the state.
Watkins Glen Trustees Kevin Thornton and Tony Fraboni have previously indicated while it is still early on in the budget process, they expect to remain at or under their taxable limits. Odessa-Montour Superintendent Chris Wood also previously stated he does not anticipate the district will require an override.

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