ELIZABETHTOWN — So far the proposed 2010 Essex County budget carries a 5-percent tax-levy increase.
The levy — which is the amount raised by property taxes — hasn't gone up in six years, but County Manager Daniel Palmer said he believes it is necessary this time.
The levy would rise 5 percent, from $13.2 million to $13.9 million.
"The increase in the levy is being driven by declining revenue," Palmer said. "It's being driven by the economy."
He said appropriations are $2.9 million less than this year, a decline of 3.1 percent, but revenue is down $3.6 million, or 4.9 percent.
A lot of the county's revenue is in sales-tax receipts, Palmer said.
"We projected sales-tax revenue at $22 million, and we were bringing in $24 million. That's no longer the case. We will be lucky to hit the $22.8 million we projected this year."
The budget totals $96.2 million, from $93.2 million currently.
The tax levy was kept to a 5-percent increase by using $7.4 million of the county's end-of-year fund balance, Palmer said.
"Had we not used $7.4 million, the levy would have been over a 25-percent increase."
Supervisor Roby Politi (R-North Elba) said a 5-percent increase isn't out of line.
"I can live with 5 percent," Politi said. "That's my personal opinion."
But Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah), who chairs the County Finance Committee, said he wants to try to take it below 5 percent.
"Dan has put a lot of time and effort into this budget. I do disagree with a 5-percent increase on the levy. In these economic times I think it's too much."
Scozzafava said supervisors will review the tentative budget at a workshop.
Palmer said there might be ways to reduce the levy, but he wouldn't recommend drawing down the fund balance more.
"You can't keep buying down fund balance. It's unsustainable."
The county will have $13 million left in its fund balance after using $7.4 million to reduce the levy in 2010.
It's not 2010 that worries him, Palmer said, but 2011.
"We completely changed the way we do business in Essex County by opening a new 120-bed jail with a $2.5 million (annual) bond payment and double the staff but did not increase the levy at all. We simply paid for it with fund balance, and that fund balance is going to be depleted by 2011."
He asked that the county appoint a deficit-reduction committee to start work now.
"I think there's time to address it. Based on revenue projections, the 2011 budget represents a significant increase in the tax levy."
There could be a 38-percent tax-levy increase for 2011 even by using another $7.4 million from the fund balance, he said.
Palmer said they're collecting $1.6 million less in county sales tax but are sharing one-quarter percent, or $1.5 million, of their sales-tax revenue with towns and villages for the first time next year. The county has also lost about $1 million in interest income and is generating $600,000 less in mortgage-tax revenue, both due to the weak economy.
In major increases, the county's contribution to the state retirement fund went up $700,000, and health-insurance is up 18 percent, or $1.4 million.
County employees including elected officials will receive 4.25-percent raises in the budget.
The county tax rate next year is projected to be about $2.05 per $1,000 of assessment, from $2.09 this year.
The County Board of Supervisors will hold a budget workshop at 10 a.m. Wednesday . The public hearing on the tentative budget is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1. Both sessions are in the Old County Courthouse in Elizabethtown.
E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
Local News
Essex County tax levy up 5 percent
- Breaking News
-
-
Montreal woman dies in Westport crash
Angela Pierre, 69, was ejected from the vehicle when its driver lost control on Interstate 87 in Westport.
-
Burlington hospital makes interim chief permanent
Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today that Dr. John Brumsted will move from interim to permanent president and CEO.
-
Montreal woman dies in Westport crash
- New Today
-
-
Recovery Center to hold open house
Smashing stereotypes and eliminating the stigma of mental-health issues has led to formation of a new place in Franklin County for clients to get wrap-around services to help them rejoin the community.
-
Recovery Center to hold open house
- Local News
-
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Love between the lines
Dr. Nell Irvin Painter of New Russia and Plattsburgh State's Dr. J.W. Wiley share historical and current viewpoints on interracial loving, American-style.
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
Cheerleading photos (2/12/12)
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Lookback: Feb. 13-19
News stories from around the region from 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago this week.
-
Of Interest: Feb. 13, 2012
Peru Central School Board to hold budget discussion; Dannemora to discuss highway post; Beekmantown School Board invites budget input; Willsboro School Board to discuss policies; Chazy School Board to discuss budget; SLCS Board to appoint clerk pro-tem; Keeseville Zoning Board cancels meeting; Elizabethtown-Lewis School Board to work on budget.
-
Gourds' shapes create interesting canvas
Georgette Bacon's gourd art is on display through March 10 at Foothills ARTSociety in Malone.
- February 12, 2012
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Attempted-murder trial set
The case against Robert J. McCann, who is charged with trying to kill his former girlfriend at a secluded Westville site, begins Tuesday in Franklin County Court.
-
A historic battle for interracial marriage
Forty-five years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all remaining state bans on interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia.
-
Fireworks to close weekend carnival
The final day of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is filled with activities and events. INCLUDES VIDEO
-
- Recent Article Comments
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
