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Water rates up; tax levy increases under state cap
Nov 23, 2012 6:55 am
Recent budget news from Columbia County:
Nathan Mayberg writes in the Register Star the Town of Stockport has passed its 2013 budget, while simultaneously increasing its water rate for the third time since October. The additional hike was based on the Town Board's decision to retain a full-time water department employee after the Richard Novak, Superintendent of Water and Wastewater, announced his retirement. The latest increase to $7.50 per thousand gallons, is more than 300 percent over the current rate, and is an increase of exactly 400 percent in the past year. The sewer rates will decrease, but not as much as expected. The town’s police department budget was also cut, although not to the extent originally proposed. Read the full story in the Register Star.
Kyle Adams reports in the Register Star the town of Greenport recently adopted its 2013 budget, coming in with a tax levy increase just below the state’s two percent cap, at 1.97 percent. The preliminary budget was approved with no changes. The budget includes an increase in water rates. The town budgeted more in 2013 for the police department, its accountant and attorneys. It projected less revenue from the mortgage tax next year, as a result of a slowdown in the housing market. Read the full story in the Register Star.
John Mason reports in the Register Star the residents of Germantown will see their taxes increase by six-tenths of a percent in 2013. Under the approved spending plan, salaries, retirement and hospitalization for town employees will increase, while expenditures for attorneys' fees and the highway department's machinery budget will remain flat, or even decrease. Read the full story in the Register Star.
The town of Kinderhook recently approved its 2013 spending plan, Barbara Reina reports in the Register Star. That budget, which reflects a 2.5 percent decrease in the tax rate, was recently approved on a unanimous vote by the town board. The villages of Valatie and Kinderhook will realize a nearly one percent decrease in the tax rate next year, as well. The plan calls for salary increases for the highway superintendent, town clerk and building inspector. Read the full story in the Register Star.
Nathan Mayberg writes in the Register Star the Town of Stockport has passed its 2013 budget, while simultaneously increasing its water rate for the third time since October. The additional hike was based on the Town Board's decision to retain a full-time water department employee after the Richard Novak, Superintendent of Water and Wastewater, announced his retirement. The latest increase to $7.50 per thousand gallons, is more than 300 percent over the current rate, and is an increase of exactly 400 percent in the past year. The sewer rates will decrease, but not as much as expected. The town’s police department budget was also cut, although not to the extent originally proposed. Read the full story in the Register Star.
Kyle Adams reports in the Register Star the town of Greenport recently adopted its 2013 budget, coming in with a tax levy increase just below the state’s two percent cap, at 1.97 percent. The preliminary budget was approved with no changes. The budget includes an increase in water rates. The town budgeted more in 2013 for the police department, its accountant and attorneys. It projected less revenue from the mortgage tax next year, as a result of a slowdown in the housing market. Read the full story in the Register Star.
John Mason reports in the Register Star the residents of Germantown will see their taxes increase by six-tenths of a percent in 2013. Under the approved spending plan, salaries, retirement and hospitalization for town employees will increase, while expenditures for attorneys' fees and the highway department's machinery budget will remain flat, or even decrease. Read the full story in the Register Star.
The town of Kinderhook recently approved its 2013 spending plan, Barbara Reina reports in the Register Star. That budget, which reflects a 2.5 percent decrease in the tax rate, was recently approved on a unanimous vote by the town board. The villages of Valatie and Kinderhook will realize a nearly one percent decrease in the tax rate next year, as well. The plan calls for salary increases for the highway superintendent, town clerk and building inspector. Read the full story in the Register Star.