The town of Camillus passed its $17.8 million budget for 2011 Tuesday night following its second public hearing, decreasing overall spending by $1.2 million from the 2010 budget.
The budget produces a tax levy of $9.23 million, resulting in a tax rate of 7.08 – down 5.74 percent from last year.
Town Supervisor Mary Ann Coogan spoke of ways the town has saved money in recent years during the first hearing Nov. 4 in town hall.
“We’ve had a hiring freeze on for the past four years,” she said. “We have consolidated our assessor’s office with the town of Elbridge, saving over $40,000 per year.”
Additional savings have come from consolidating dog control departments with the town of Van Buren, a savings of $20,000 a year, switching full-time positions to part-time to save on costs of benefits, and reducing the brush pickup schedule to every other week.
“We have saved $65,000 a year by changing our heating and lighting fixtures, and $90,000 to $100,000 a year by going to a BOCES program,” Coogan added.
Coogan thanked all department heads as well as town comptroller Catherine Albunio, new to the position this year, for their hard work in preparing the budget.
“We will continue in 2011 to find ways to save money and bring in revenue where possible,” Coogan said.
Town of Marcellus tax rate drops 10 cents
The Marcellus Town Board approved its $3,48 million budget for 2011 at a public hearing held Thursday Nov. 4. The spending plan reduces the tax rate 10 cents, from $6.67 per thousand of assessed value to $6.57, and reduces town taxes for the fourth straight year.
“The budget includes no new initiatives and absorbs double digit increases in pension and health benefit costs,” said Town Supervisor Dan Ross.
The total town tax levy will also be reduced for the third straight year.
Elbridge lowers budget for 2011
The Town of Elbridge passed its budget for 2011 following a public hearing held last week. Total spending came to $2.41 million, making for a decrease of $3,371 from 2010.
The tax rate for town of Elbridge residents living outside the villages will be $4.72 per thousand of assessed value, down 11.8 cents from last year. The rate for residents within the village is $3.28 per thousand of assessed value, roughly the same as 2010.
Elected officials that work part-time — the supervisor, councilors and justices — will receive no pay raises this year.
Full-time elected officials, however, will receive pay raises of $750 for 2011. The salary for the highway superintendent increased to $45,305, and that of the town clerk came to $35,925.
