Hats off to the mayor and village board for their work on
formulating a budget for the coming year that calls for a
reasonable tax rate increase while maintaining services and
planning for capital improvements.
This is the second year Mayor Carol Waller has opened up
the process to include significant input from the trustees as
they examined revenues and expenditures in a line-by-line
review and it has worked well.
No one likes tax increases, but in the current economic
climate, three percent is an acceptable hike in the rate. For
many years, the village held the line on taxes. That unwritten
policy may have pleased taxpayers at the time, but the
board should have been putting away additional funds
in reserve accounts for capital projects that were on the
horizon. Small steady increases are easier on taxpayers in
the end than the rollercoaster ride of ups and downs that
can occur when municipalities are faced with unexpected
expenses.
Deputy Mayor Jeff Katz, who chairs the finance committee,
said the board wanted as minimal a tax increase as possible
for the tentative budget without dipping too deeply
into the surplus. Katz believes they reached that goal with a
three percent increase.
``I think the budget was a good balance. I think we did a
good job,’’ he said.
We agree.
Katz said that compared to some of the increases he has
seen in other municipal and school district budgets, the village
is in good shape.
``I think we are in good financial standing, but I’d like to
see increased revenues,’’ he said.
The proposed budget is still subject to change before it
is adopted by the board of trustees in late April. With new
Mayor Joe Booan taking office on Monday it is possible
there will be changes to the budget, but right now, the village
is on track.
inactive
April 1, 2010
Mayor, board deserve praise
- inactive
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- Littering a major problem The annual observation of Earth Day is April 22, and the Earth Festival that has been held in Milford for the past five years is this Saturday.
- Mayor, board deserve praise Hats off to the mayor and village board for their work on formulating a budget for the coming year that calls for a reasonable tax rate increase while maintaining services and planning for capital improvements.
- It’s time to be creative For the last few weeks, we’ve devoted a lot of space in the paper to the dire news coming out of Cooperstown Central School regarding their projected budget for next year. With state aid decreasing, teachers and programs may be eliminated next year to make up the shortfall.
- Time to work together The election is over and we offer our congratulations to Joe Booan, Alton Dunn III, Lynne Mebust and Leslie Friedman for their victories.
- Katz is our choice for mayor Next Tuesday’s annual village election has a full slate of candidates for mayor, trustee and justice. Our choice for mayor is Jeff Katz, the senior member of the village board and the current Deputy Mayor.
- We’re in this together This year’s village election offers an interesting look at a pervasive aspect of small town politics _ newcomers versus native sons or daughters.
- Jump is annual highlight Our hats go off to all jumpers who took the plunge into freezing-cold water during the 15th annual Goodyear Lake Polar Bear Jump held on Saturday.
- Classic changes should enhance fans’ experience After last year’s inaugural Hall of Fame Classic, we wrote an editorial outlining some changes that we felt would make the game more appealing to baseball fans. Coincidentally or not, we’re pleased to see museum officials have addressed most of those concerns for the second Classic, which is scheduled for Father’s Day, June 20.
- Every little bit helps The village’s attempt to capitalize on some of its unique baseball heritage is a step in the right direction. The plan to take advantage of the village’s iconic Doubleday Field by licensing the commercial use of images of the field and marketing a newly developed logo creates a welcome new revenue stream.
- Village should speak up Two weeks ago, Congressman Michael Arcuri said what should be obvious to everyone _ our water supply is our most valuable resource.
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