By David Tyler
Supervisor Ed Michalenko expressed hope the town will be able to convince county and state officials to let them have a small piece of the hotel tax pie in the future. Onondaga County is seeking a 2 percent increase in the hotel tax – from 5 percent to 7 percent – which must be approved by the state. DeWitt would like to see that increase go to 7.5 percent with the additional half a percent going to the town.
“I’m hopeful that we’ll have the ability to work with the county on this issue – and the state,” Supervisor Ed Michalenko said. “Really everything got thrown into turmoil because of the COVID-19 issue – and rightfully so.”
“I don’t believe that what we’re proposing is dead with the county legislature,” Michalenko said. “I think it’s worth one more opportunity to work with [County Executive Ryan McMahon] on this issue.”
Councilor Kerin Rigney expressed doubt that the town would find much sympathy given the economic condition of the county and the plight facing hotels in the area.
“Two months ago, we were making a case, and it’s a good case,” Rigney said. “Right now, they’re in emergency mode. I’m not sure how far we can push this at this time. It just looks really grim.”
Two years ago, the town appealed for a 2.75 percent hotel room occupancy tax. That request met with opposition from the town’s hoteliers and was not passed by the state.
Part-timers will continue to get paid
On March 19, the town elected to pay permanent (non-seasonal) part-time employees an amount equal to what they’ve earned over the past six months. On Monday morning, the town board decided to continue paying those salaries for the next two weeks and will revisit the issue at its next meeting.
“The employees have budgeted their personal budgets to receive those paychecks, and we’ve budgeted to pay those paychecks,” councilor Sam Young said. “I think we should continue to do so.”
“I’m ok with going two weeks this, which will take us to the end of April and see where the state is on lifting the quarantine,” Kerry Mannion said.
Other items
l The county legislature voted at its last meeting to authorize the county executive to enter into a sewer consolidation plan to take over sewers that are currently owned and operated by the towns. Tentatively, the DeWitt town board seemed to favor the plan, but is waiting to review plans that have yet to be sent from county officials
“We want to be able to enter into this agreement,” Michalenko said. “But we have to do our due diligence and make sure that this is cost-effective for our residents.”
l Karen Doctor announced that the town parks department suspended all programs and day camp registrations until further notice. Registrations will be delayed until May or June when it is hoped that they will be able to determine which programs will be able to run. They refunded or rescheduled all April facility rentals. The staff continues to plan for day camp, staff training, Canal Day
l The town recreation department has also postponed the April 23 senior fair with the hope to reschedule it for some time in the fall.
l Until further notice, the board will meet on the second and fourth Mondays at 9 a.m. via video conference. The next meeting is April 27.
