TOWN OF MANLIUS – Based primarily on a significant increase in the overall assessments of properties in Manlius, the tax rate for Manlius homeowners is expected to drop by nearly 9 percent.
Last week, the Manlius Town Board adopted its preliminary budget. The town’s $18.34 million includes nearly $1 million in new spending that is funded by the federal American Rescue Plan including more than $300,000 for the highway department, $180,000 for the police department and $225 for water infrastructure. ARPA funds were intended for use on one-time or short-term projects and can’t be used for typical operational spending.
Due to reassessment during a year with a hot real estate market, in 2022 the town saw an 11 percent increase in its overall assessment, which is the primary driver of the decreased tax rate. In addition, 20 new parcels came on the tax rolls in 2022. The town’s new taxable assessment is $3.183 billion, up from $2.849 billion a year ago.
Health insurance remains one of the main drivers of spending increases. The town’s health insurance bill is expected to increase by about $180,000 in 2023, to 2.71 million.
To help town employees weather inflationary cost increases, most town employees are slated to receive a salary bump of about 4 percent in the tentative budget, which is more than the customary salary increase of 2 to 3 percent, Supervisor John Deer said last month.
Special districts
In a message sent to the Eagle Bulletin last week, Councilor Sara Bollinger explained why some property owners with similar assessments might have significant differences in their property tax bills.
“Why are my property taxes different from my neighbors? The answer usually includes a special district,” Bollinger wrote.
Special districts in the town of Manlius include sewer, drainage, water supply, water treatment, park, lighting, refuse, brush, fire protection and/or fire protection districts. The highest fee is usually for fire protection, followed by trash collection. These districts are wholly at the expense of the district property owners who benefit from the districts.
Special districts make up about one-third of the town’s overall budget.
The town board has scheduled a public hearing on the 2023 budget for Nov. 9. The board must adopt a budget for the coming year by Nov. 20.
A hypothetical example of a typical receipt for 2023 property taxes in the town of Manlius.
