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November 3, 2009

Proposed tax levy, rate down in Lewis

By ALVIN REINER

LEWIS — The tax levy will decrease 1.8 percent if the proposed 2010 Town of Lewis budget is adopted.

The levy, which is the amount of the budget that comes from taxes, is $435,511, down $8,108 from the current spending plan.

"The Lewis Town Board worked hard to keep spending down," Lewis Supervisor David H. Blades said.

"And if no changes are made before adoption, it will come in under the 2009 budget, which was $856,569."

The proposed budget of $848,011, which includes money for the general fund, highway and fire, is about 1 percent less than the 2009 budget.

TAX RATE
The tax rate per $1,000 of assessed valuation for property owners outside the Water District is $4.49, down 14 cents.

Homeowners inside the Water District can expect to pay $4.98 per thousand of assessed valuation, which includes bond and interest and operations and maintenance. This is a decrease from 2009 of 75 cents per $1,000.

"There were slight increases in the fire district and highway budgets, but this was offset by a decrease in the general," Blades said.

The total of assessed value for Lewis is $151,449,652. Of that, $5,045,851 is state land that is tax exempt, and another $47,155,882 is other non-taxable property.

EXPENSES
The budget includes an increase of $1,200 for the printing and mailing of a semi-annual newsletter to help keep the public informed.

A new program involves bus service for senior citizens to Plattsburgh. Since state regulations do not allow for transportation out of the county, Blades indicated that three or four towns will share in the costs, which are currently undetermined.

The Town of Lewis is now contributing to the funding of the library in Elizabethtown, for which $2,500 has been appropriated.

A $1,500 increase is planned for the purchase of new water meters, primarily to have extra equipment in stock in case replacements are needed.

Another increase will be the cost for road salt and sand, which Blades referred to as "the nature of the beast."

The town is considering an upgrade to the playground, but there is currently no cost estimate.

SALARIES
The supervisor and Town Council members will not receive a pay raise.

All other elected officials, as well as town employees, will receive a 3-percent increase.

The two town justices will each receive an $800 raise. Blades said they are putting in considerably more time, due to the County Jail as well as traffic tickets.

While there has been an increase in fines and forfeited bail, the town receives only a small portion, since most goes back to the state.

REVENUE CHANGES
A major decrease was budgeting for an attorney fee of $30,000, due to previous NYCO litigation that has now been settled.

Because of the Essex County Public Safety building, water revenues are up.

"I would like to thank each councilman for being proactive in this very difficult responsibility that town government is charged with," Blades said.

"They not only put in hours of time but also agreed to forgo raises once again to do their part in keeping spending in check."

BUDGET TIMING
The budget hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Lewis Town Hall.

The 2010 budget is expected to be adopted at the Nov. 10 meeting.

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