ROTTERDAM -- Residents could see an 11.6 percent hike in their property taxes under a tentative $18.4 million general and highway fund budget introduced this week by Supervisor Francis Del Gallo.
Under the 2011 spending plan, the tax levy or amount to be raised through taxes is estimated at around $10.9, according to figures which indicate the town has earmarked about $1.5 million in fund balance. If the double-digit tax increase stands, the estimated general homestead tax rate would be $2.40 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
Del Gallo, a Democrat, blamed past Republican administrations for playing politics.
"They didn't raise taxes to get votes," Del Gallo said Wednesday, adding that he's hopeful the Democrat-controlled Town Board can "come up with different ways to save money." The panel will in the coming weeks review the budget and possibly make revisions to it.
Town Board member Gerard Parisi, the lone Republican on the board, said Wednesday that Del Gallo needs to stick to his campaign promise of running Rotterdam like a business and lowering taxes.
"They are an incompetent management team," Parisi said of Del Gallo and Deputy Supervisor Robert Godlewski.
Godlewski did not return a call Wednesday seeking comment.
The projected increase to the municipal tax bill does not include special taxes for drainage and sewer districts.
Del Gallo said that a public hearing is slated for later this month, but no date has been set.
Paul Nelson can be reached at 454-5347 or by email at pnelson@timesunion.com
an 11.6% tax increase, from the people who were going to be responsible and watch every single penny. I bet somewhere in the back of their mind, they are comparing Steve Tommasone and George W. Bush. It's all Tommasone's fault (not to say a good portion of it isn't).
R'dam budget proposes over 11 percent tax increase John Purcell 10/06/10
Rotterdam Supervisor Francis Del Gallo released his 2011 tentative budget on Tuesday, Oct. 5, which totals $21,225,273 and includes a property tax of 11.36 percent. Almost $1.6 million is being used from the town’s fund balance.
Del Gallo said some of the budgetary pressures were increasing retirement costs and health insurance costs. Revenue is also declining from almost $7.1 million in 2010 to an estimated $6.9 million for 2011.
Del Gallo said part of the tax increase is due to the previous board.
“They [the previous administration] haven’t taxed anybody for three years,” said Del Gallo. “If you don’t raise taxes it is only common sense.”
Councilman Gerard Parisi disagrees the tax increase is due to the previous administration.
“This is a complete failure on part of the supervisor and deputy supervisor,” said Parisi. “Based on what they campaigned upon was a big tax cut, obviously they didn’t keep their promise.”
Non-residential property taxes are also on the rise, with a 14.7 percent increase from last year.
“The commercial people are getting beat up,” said Del Gallo. “They are surviving, that is what they are doing.”
Some of the cost saving measures included Del Gallo removing his salary previously and eliminating a $35,490 typist position from the supervisor’s office.
Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services had requested $120,000 according to the tentative budget, but their funding is cut from proposed budget.
Del Gallo said there is going to be a vote on a taxing district for REMS on Dec. 14, which was the earliest date he said he could acquire.
“It was the only date that we could get from the election boards to have an election,” said Del Gallo. “It is not in the budget now, because it is going to vote.”
The budget isn't finalized yet -- so I expect that the budget will see some modifications and possibly a lower tax increase.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
FDG makes no sense. He says that business owners are barely making it and then whacks them with a huge 14.6% property tax increase. Talk about a job and revenue killer. This will never stand.
I can hear it now, "Rotterdam Democrats understand the importance of high taxes". Unbelievable. This is why you need a two party system. Checks and balances. Don't follow the City and Niskayuna over the working together cliff. They also have "leaders" that understand the importance of high taxes.
FDG makes no sense. He says that business owners are barely making it and then whacks them with a huge 14.6% property tax increase. Talk about a job and revenue killer. This will never stand.
I can hear it now, "Rotterdam Democrats understand the importance of high taxes". Unbelievable. This is why you need a two party system. Checks and balances. Don't follow the City and Niskayuna over the working together cliff. They also have "leaders" that understand the importance of high taxes.
If the Town Board had come together and approved the retirement incentives --- more money could have been cut from the budget .. and the tax increase would have been lower. So we actually need MORE working together .. not less.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
Hahahha... continuing the blame game. I'm surprised it's not Bushs' fault yet.
You just can't stand the truth ... that's your problem.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
If the Town Board had come together and approved the retirement incentives --- more money could have been cut from the budget .. and the tax increase would have been lower. So we actually need MORE working together .. not less.
wouldnt this have cost the town more upfront????????????????
The previous administration raided the various cash reserve funds to avoid raising taxes.
They didn't actually know how to run a town government.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
Logged
FDG makes no sense. He says that business owners are barely making it and then whacks them with a huge 14.6% property tax increase. Talk about a job and revenue killer. This will never stand.
