The tentative Skaneateles town budget for 2013 contains a 1.8 percent spending increase, a 0.04 percent tax increase and no layoffs of town personnel.
“We’re in pretty good shape,” said Town Supervisor Terri Roney.
Town Budget Officer Bridget Winkelman submitted the tentative 2013 town budget to the board at its Thursday, Oct. 4, meeting.
The budget proposal includes a 2013 tax rate of $2.52 per $1,000 of assessed property value, up slightly from the 2012 tax rate of $2.48 per $1,000. This rate is for the combined town and highway department funds, but does not include the separate special districts such as fire, water and sewer.
All of the four fire districts in the town — Skaneateles, Skaneateles No. 2, Mottville and Shepard Settlement — are basically at the same tax rate as they were for 2012, with only a one-cent difference here or there.
The general town wide budget proposal includes a 1.86 percent increase over the 2012 budget, which keeps the budget under the state’s 2 percent tax cap rate limit.
Copies of the 2013 tentative town budget can be obtained at town hall, or it can be found online at townofskaneateles.com.
The town board encourages residents to examine the current budget proposals and contact them with any questions, comments or concerns, said Councilor Steve McGlynn.
The preliminary budget will be officially submitted to the board after its Oct. 24 meeting. The board will hold a public hearing on the budget at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1.
Also at the meeting:
—Town Parks Department director Sue Murphy said the ice at the old rink is up and ready for use, although the town’s Zamboni is experiencing mechanical issues that they are having trouble fixing. Murphy said it would cost the town $1,500 to have the company come to Skaneateles to look at it, if that becomes necessary.
—The board scheduled a public hearing for 7:10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, for a proposed new local law to amend the town code “with respect to parking vehicles on town roads.” Specifically, the law would prohibit standing, stopping and parking along both sides of Visions Drive from Jordan Street to County Line Road.
—The board reminded residents that a hamlet meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Mottville Fire Departent to discuss the current status of Stauffer Chemical Company environmental cleanup activities. A representative of the state Department of Environmental Conservation will be present to give an update.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Skaneateles Press. He can be reached at [email protected].
