Be sure that next year which is not an election year for the county, taxes will increase dramatically as they did last year, which also was not an election year for the county.
Pick up your Gazetto today for the hilarious KRAT inserts. Real comedy classics.
Did you know that Holly Vellano was part of the working together team that give you a 2% County mini-cut? So what if she hasn't been elected yet? Doesn't matter since she is the best looking candidate she will win in a landslide.
Did you know that Judy DAG/ Sue Savage/Marty Finn/ Dr. Gordon increased your County taxes 10% last year? So what if the working together team blew the whole stimulus package for their re-election?
Hey, my friend emailed this to me. I can't believe that dago voted with the reps. OMG!
Quoted Text
Schenectady County budget lowers tax levy Thursday, September 24, 2009 By Michael Lamendola (Contact) Gazette Reporter
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY — Schenectady County has adopted a budget that trims the property tax levy by 2.13 percent.
The county Legislature approved the $288 million budget Wednesday night unanimously, 14-0. Legislator Vincent DiCerbo, D-Schenectady, was absent. Legislators also unanimously approved the capital projects plan that includes $300,000 to build a sheriff’s substation in Duanesburg.
The proposed tax levy for 2010 is $65 million, a 2.1 percent decrease from the current levy of $66 million. The levy was $61 million in 2008, $58 million in 2007, $58 million in 2006 and $59 million in 2005.
Property owners will have to wait until December to learn how much their county tax bills will be, however. That’s when the state sets equalization rates and the county’s tax levy is proportioned out to its municipalities. The county’s budget takes effect Jan. 1.
“This budget strives to preserve core services while responding to taxpayers’ demands that property taxes be reduced and government cut spending like taxpayers have had to do,” said County Manager Kathleen Rooney.
The county is using $4.8 million in federal stimulus money it is receiving this year and is taking $2.1 million out of its $35 million surplus funds account to reduce the tax levy.
The budget includes $9 million in new spending and adds several new positions, including that of an engineer to handle management of mandated storm water requirements. It leaves unchanged county programs and services.
Rooney said while the county held the line as much as possible on expenditures, it had to pay nearly $3 million more into the state retirement system and $837,000 in Medicaid expenses not covered by federal stimulus money. The county also lost nearly $3 million in revenues from cuts in state spending and from a sour economy that affected sales tax receipts and interest income.
The 2010 budget includes no layoffs but contains an early retirement plan targeted at full-time employees with 25 years or more of service. The county expects to save $300,000 in 2010 through this plan, which takes effect Oct. 1.
Minority Leader Robert Farley, R-Glenville, and his caucus produced 32 amendments to the budget. “I believe these amendments have merit and provide for a stronger level of fiscal responsibility,” he said when presenting them Wednesday night. Democrats defeated the amendments 9-5, with Judy Dagostino, D-Rotterdam, voting with the Republicans.
Democrats countered that under their tenure, they have streamlined government and made it more efficient. As part of efforts to control costs, the county has eliminated around 200 positions, changed its contract procedures, cracked down on welfare fraud and abuse and instituted a new health plan that has saved more than $20 million since 2004, Rooney said.
These changes have also produced a $33 million surplus funds account, the largest of any county in the region, she said.
The cut in the property tax levy comes in a crucial election year for Democrats. Seven seats on the county Legislature are in play this November, six of them currently held by Democrats. Democrats control the Legislature 11-4.
There are three seats open in District 3, representing Glenville and Niskayuna. In this district, Chairwoman Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, Martin Finn, D-Niskayuna, and Brian Gordon, D-Niskayuna, are seeking re-election. They are facing Republicans Tim MacFarlane, Michael Mansion and Kurt Semon.
In District 4, consisting of Rotterdam, Duanesburg and Princetown, two seats are open. Judith Dagostino, D-Rotterdam, the legislature’s vice chairwoman, is seeking re-election. Running with her is Holly Vellano, a Conservative endorsed by the Democrats. On the Republican ticket are Mike Viscusi and Mary Barrie. Brad Littlefield is running on the No New Tax Party line.
Democrats Karen Johnson of District 1 and Philip Fields of District 2, both in the city, are running unopposed.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I can believe it. The KRATS pulled this same stunt 2 years ago with the highly unpopular Marty Finn. It proves Judy DAG is polling way behind Holly Vellano. Too bad the County REPS are waiving the white flag?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
...yes, after the Democrats voted down the budget with 8.9 million in spending cuts everyone agreed to pass this one as imperfect as it is, from what I hear considering it very well could of been in INCREASE, as it will surely be next year.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Sorry....my bad! I thought it said INCREASE. I'll put the glass of wine down now!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Pick up your Gazetto today for the hilarious KRAT inserts. Real comedy classics.
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