By Sarah Hall

Editor

Residents of the town of Clay are looking at a nominal tax increase, according to the tentative budget presented at the Oct. 3 town board meeting.

According to budget documents, appropriations for 2017 total $14,537,771, while revenues amount to $3,842,100. The proposed 2017 tax levy is $8,945,671, up $121,286, from 2016. While the tentative budget is subject to change, based on current projections, taxpayers inside the village will pay an additional $0.49 per $100,000 of assessed value, while those inside the village will actually pay ).63 less per $100,000. The town is also looking to use $1.75 million from its fund balance.

In addition to increases in salaries, benefits and payment on the town’s debt service, Clay will be increasing its budget lines for its parks department and dog control office for new equipment. According to Supervisor Damian Ulatowski, the dog control officer will be getting a new vehicle at a cost of $29,000, while parks and rec’s budget includes an additional $107,674 to replace several vehicles that have outlasted their useful lives. In addition, the budget includes money for a new boiler at the old town hall, which currently houses the highway department and other offices.

Ulatowski said he believes that, after the board and department heads negotiate and trim here and there, the budget will come in under the tax cap, which is 0.68 percent this year.

“We did pass a local law at the last meeting, just as a precaution, but I do think we’ll be able to get it under,” Ulatowski said. “We’ve been able to get some major reductions to our benefit costs. It’s a pretty good budget, but we should be able to get our numbers down even further.”

The final budget must be passed by Nov. 20 under state law.