CHATEAUGAY -- Clinton County wind-farm payments helped slash taxes by nearly 6 percent in the proposed 2008-09 Chateaugay Central School budget.
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Pre-kindergarten classes will be offered for the first time, and a major upgrade will occur with the district's technology equipment under this spending plan.
The overall proposed budget is $10,547,378, an increase of 8.6 percent over this year's budget.
But the tax levy -- the amount to be raised by taxes -- is $2,540,803, a decrease of 5.97 percent from this year.
"We're ecstatic about this budget and ecstatic about being able to bring some relief to taxpayers," said District Superintendent Paul Harrica.
TAX RATES
The proposed tax rate per $1,000 of assessed property value will be reduced in each of the district's five townships: Bellmont residents will pay $18.94, down from $20.14 this school year; Burke will pay $19.48, down from $21.71; Chateaugay will pay $17.68, a drop from $18.80; Clinton will pay $15.03, down from $15.99; and Ellenburg will pay $14.72, down from $15.66.
A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, in the school auditorium.
The budget vote will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, in the gymnasium.
WIND MONEY
"Originally, we were looking at a 2.89-percent increase," Harrica said. "But with our increase in state aid and the payments from the Noble Windpark LLC Project, we were able to decrease the tax levy almost 9 percent."
The district was awarded an extra $576,465 in state operating aid, and its share of the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement with Noble Environmental was $332,800.
"And that's just from the Clinton County operation," the superintendent said. "There are wind-park projects proposed in the Town of Bellmont and the Town of Chateaugay, so there is even more of a savings for our taxpayers down the road."
NEW PRE-K
The proposed budget also includes a $91,080 anticipated grant for the creation of a pre-kindergarten class that will serve 18 students.
The participants will be chosen by lottery from a waiting list, Harrica said.
If the budget is adopted as proposed and the pre-K program created, a teacher and a teaching assistant will be added to the staff.
HIGHER COSTS
The healthy financial picture does have a few worrisome spots, he said; the contractual costs, such as teacher retirement, health insurance and workers compensation, have gone up a total of 7.71 percent.
Utility costs have also gone through the roof.
"Last year, we budgeted at $2 a gallon for fuel," Harrica said, "and this year, we've gone to $3.50 a gallon. But that won't even do it."
He said the School Board increased its fuel and electricity budget by $148,500 -- or 65 percent -- over this year's budget to cover expected cost increases.
"It's our No. 1 concern. It's scary, and that's why we're so happy to be able to offer the taxpayers some relief."
SCHOOL BOARD
Two School Board seats, held by incumbents David Roach and Scott Beach, are up for election this year.
Roach is seeking another three-year term, but Beach has decided not to run again. William Harrigan is the only person who has submitted a petition for the other open School Board seat.
Residents will also be asked to decide May 20 whether to allow the district to purchase two school buses at a cost not to exceed $120,043.
draymo@pressrepublican.com
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