COUNTY BUDGET EXCEEDS GOVERNOR'S CAP BY OVER 100%
The citizens of Cortland County need to be aware that their Legislature will vote and approve a budget that exceeds the Governors proposed cap by more than 100%.
In an effort to reduce the heavy property tax burden Governor Cuomo has proposed a 2% cap on the tax levy. However, the budget as prepared and accepted by the County Budget and Finance Committee will enhance the levy by more than 4%. Many factors are filling out the robust budget. Some of the contributors are high retirement costs, higher health care costs, little relief on mandated items and high amounts of overtime within the Sheriff’s department. Once again the overtime budget within the Sheriff’s department is $600,000 and that may be exceeded.
Bonding continues to be another large contributor to the budget. This year the Legislature approved an enhanced communication system and that bond with interest is likely to exceed 20 million dollars. For 2012 it is quite likely they will approve a 30 million dollar bond for bridge repair and culvert replacements. This will add a minimum 1% to your tax burden--over the cap. Given the lack of financial support on state mandates, Cortland County is on a path of higher taxes for the foreseeable future.
If you can not attend the County Budget hearing on Monday (14th) at the County office building, then make it a point to call your Legislator and ask him/her what effort has he/she made to reduce your tax burden.
Anonymous
Unfortunately the post on the county budget couldn't be further from the truth. The governor has not completely defined the rules of the tax cap. Exclusions to the rule are in place because the governor knows those items would severely damage local governments ability to operate. Some rules have not been defined, If the county were spend funds in the areas not defined as yet and the state then decided to place that line within the cap rules the county would then have to place an equivalent amount in a reserve fund placing the county behind the eight ball. Hence all local governments are passing the request to exceed the cap in case Albany changes its mind. The budget increase was 1.3%, well within the cap required by Albany. You confuse tax rate with tax levy as many do.
ReplyDeleteAs for the bonding in the Highway department, CHIPS money - aid to counties for roads, bridges etc. will be dedicated to highway construction and repair only. Roads has been neglected since 2004. CHIPS funds will be dedicated to that area as it is relatively constant funding. The bonding will go to bridges and culverts that were built in the 1930s and are in a dangerous state of disrepair. Those structures last approximately 70 years. By bonding for 30 years the county gets relief for 40 years. A much better plan for maintenance, repair and rebuild of those structures. Some of our bridges are on the verge of collapse. Those structure will be closed within the next two years if nothing is done.
On to the communication system: that has been on the agenda since 1995. This legislature finally acted because their backs were against the wall. If a system was not in place by January 2013 the county would face a $35,000 a day fine for not meeting this federal requirement. The county is still waiting to hear from Albany on the grant money that was applied for. Senator Sewards office has been active in putting pressure on the committees allocating grant money. Twenty million is set aside for this year, forty million for next year. We applied for 6 million this year and are relatively confident we will get 2 million. The legislature will apply for grant money every year to minimize the cost to taxpayers. It should be noted that the federal requirement came with no funds and Albany joined in as well until this year making grant money available. Also if the county had bonded for the system we would not have been able to apply for grants. You can thank Jack Williams knowledge and skills in business and government for steering the legislature away from bonding.
The legislature could do what the city did. Project an overly optimistic sales tax increase and end up soaking the taxpayers next year or we could tell them the truth. We are in an economic downturn, we have requirements placed on us and are trying to balance wants and needs. Mr. McNeily, the county auditor, said it best last week when he said the county has stopped over spending and is on track to righting its books with the responsibilities it needs to fulfill.
Truthngov points out the county budget increase was 1.3% "well within the cap." His percentage applies to increased spending, not increased taxes. Spending, per se, is not addressed by the cap.
ReplyDeleteThe anonymous author of the post knows the difference between tax rate and tax levy. He also knows that taxes will be increased by the county legislature, with the usual denial, blame and smokescreen politics by self-interested legislators.
"Teach your grandmother to suck eggs," is an old adage that applies in this instance.
Truthngov refers to the expensive emergency communications system adopted by the county legislature, and omits that he and other legislators turned down a less expensive option. Truthngov needs a new pen name.
As for his comments about the city budget, he repeats politically-inspired misinformation still circulating after city elections. In fact, the city will collect $550,000 more than it budgeted in sales tax for year 2011. City sales tax projections for 2012 are based on this reality.
You make a great deal of assumptions in your remarks. First of all I am not a male nor am I a legislator. I just follow what's happening. I read city council , legislature and committee minutes on a regular basis. I also watch both the legislature and city council meetings when I cannot attend.The "cheaper" communications system you refer to would only cover 50% of the county, an improvement of just 3%. The county would then need to budget even more to get us up to the 97% coverage we will get with the new system. Tell me, with the taxes you pay would you be willing to be in the area that is not covered? A fire in your home would require placing vehicles in several towns and then relay radio to Tompkins county and back to Cortland.That is what happens now. Minutes lost in saving lives. A child a MacDonald center stopped breathing. Rescue crews couldn't raise Cortland Hospital two blocks away. Instructions and information had to be relayed by mouth outside the building to a waiting crew member with a radio. I'm wondering who should be sucking eggs?
ReplyDeleteAs for the sales tax projections, that is an old, old trick politicians pull just before an election.Let's see whether the incoming council can keep next years taxes even lower based on your views. My estimations are more like 6% to 8%. Time will tell.Post an address, I'll send you a dozen!
As for the name. I'm interested in the truth getting out to the public. This site is becoming a mouth piece like the Cortland Standard is.Too bad, I thought you had something here. You're just the same old make news and distract the public agenda with different wrapping paper.
ReplyDeleteTruthngov posted: "First of all, I am not a male nor am I a legislator?" When did this legislator get a sex change?
ReplyDelete