Ossining Approves Budget, Overrides Cap
The Village of Ossining approved its 2012 budget, though it took overriding the state mandated property tax cap on the tax levy to do it.
On Tuesday, the village board unanimously approved overriding the cap and approving the $30.15 million budget, which carries a 4.23 percent tax increase and a 3.62 percent tax levy increase. Due to consolidating its court with the Town of Ossining, the village was capped at increasing its levy by 1.4 percent.
Municipalities are allowed to override the tax cap if 60 percent of the board approves. 112 municipalities throughout New York have voted to override the cap. Despite having to override the cap, Mayor William Hanauer said the village did all it could.
“I am very pleased to report that despite the repressed economy, the financial condition of the village is healthy,” Hanauer said. “The budget process has been difficult.”
The village was faced with pension costs going up 17 percent, as well as steep increases in health care, fuel and heating costs. Five retiring employees will not be replaced, departments decreased costs by 15 percent, and the village significantly slashed overtime costs.
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.