Ossining and Somers Proposed Budgets Keep Within Cap
The town supervisors of Ossining and Somers presented proposed 2013 budgets that keep their respective 2013 budgets with the state mandated two-percent property tax cap.
Ossining
Ossining Supervisor Susanne Donnelly’s tentative 2013 budget complies with the state mandated two percent tax levy cap despite hefty pension and health insurance cost increases.
“Despite all of these cost increases and a declining assessment roll, this administration is proud to have held down expenses and remained within the NYS Tax Cap,” Donnelly stated in a message to residents. “This is due to the hard work and careful resource management of every Town of Ossining employee. As taxpayers and neighbors, we are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of public servants working for our benefit.”
If the approximately $13 million budget stays intact, the average town taxpayer will be an additional $11.50. In the unincorporated area, residents will be pay an additional $43.60.
A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for November 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Police/Court Facility on Spring Street.
Somers
Somers Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy has proposed a $13.7 million 2013 budget that would include a property tax levy hike below the state mandated two percent cap.
The spending plan also includes the first raise for Murphy in several years.
If adopted by the town board, the budget would increase the property tax levy by 1.9 percent. “It does come in under the tax cap,” Murphy said. “We are continuing the status quo.” The budget calls for no employee layoffs, she said.
The budget includes an increase in Murphy’s salary from $95,345 to $99,000 next year. The board, not including Murphy, who did not take part in the discussion, said they wanted to boost her salary because it has not been raised for years and they wanted to ensure the supervisor was the highest paid town employee.
The board approved the preliminary budget. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for December 6 and the board is slated to vote on the final version of next year’s spending plan on December 13.
By Rick Pezzullo and Neal Rentz
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
