The Cazenovia Village Board is continuing to move toward creating a preliminary budget for 2012-13. At the March 5 meeting, trustees held a public hearing and then passed a resolution which will allow them to surpass New York state’s 2 percent cap on property tax levy, if need be.
Mayor Kurt Wheeler and the board were confident they will not need to raise taxes higher than 2 percent, but want to keep the option open as the budget is finalized.
“The intent of the village of Cazenovia is to adhere to the 2 percent tax cap … Creating the opportunity to do it doesn’t mean we have to do it, or even intend to do it. It means if push came to shove, we would have the legal authority to do so,” Wheeler said. “This year, I’m pleased to report we’ve made good progress on the budgeting process, and I think we will be able to continue to provide a comparable level of service which the village has grown accustomed to, while also holding the tax increase to 2 percent.”
Having previously met twice in February, the village board will gather to develop the upcoming budget once more, at 6:30 p.m. March 14 in the Municipal Building. Trustees are required to have a preliminary budget in place by March 21. Information will be posted to the village website and be made available in print at the village office, at 90 Albany St.
Residents are encouraged to attend the public budget hearing at 6:45 p.m. April 2 in the Municipal Building in order to discuss details.
In other board news
-The Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce was granted usage of Memorial Park for Saturday morning Farmer’s Markets, May 12 through Nov. 3. The organization was also granted permission to display promotional signs on Lakeland fence, the preceding Thursdays through Saturday afternoons.
-The Cazenovia Forum was granted permission to display a four-by-four-foot on Lakeland fence sign promoting its March 30 lecture, one week prior to the event.
-GCACC was granted permission to hold its Annual Sidewalk Festival Days Sale July 4 through 8 on Albany Street. Stores will be open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. GCACC was also allowed to display a sign on Lakeland fence July 2 through 8.
Pierce Smith is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at 434-8889 ext. 338 or [email protected].
