Westport tax-levy decrease proposed

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November 8, 2009

By ALVIN REINER The Press Republican Sun Nov 08, 2009, 11:01 PM EST

WESTPORT — Residents of Westport will see their tax levy decrease 0.7 percent if the proposed budget passes.

The levy, the amount to be raised by taxes, is down $561 from this year's amount of $805,803.

While the total budget amount is $1,445,880.83, a 0.75-percent increase from last year, Westport Supervisor Dan Connell attributes the tax-levy decrease to the sharing of sales tax with other towns.

The tax rate — $3.53 per $1,000 assessed value — is down 5 percent from the current year's rate of $3.71 per $1,000. The owner of a property assessed at $100,000 can expect to pay $353.

Westport's total assessed value is $227,851,117, which includes a tax-exempt land amount of $28,542,712.

No areas of major increases or decreases in budget spending were indicated for major projects, purchases or costs.

Elected officials and town employees will receive a 3-percent pay increase.

Residents living in Water District 3 can expect a $5 increase per quarter, while the other districts will be the same as the current year.

"I want to commend the town board for bringing in a budget with a tax levy and a tax rate that are below the current 2009 budget," Connell said.

The budget will be voted on at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Westport Town Hall.