HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-10-PH-FINAL-minutesPUBLIC HEARING
LL2 of 2019: TO OVERRIDE THE TAX LEVY LIMIT ESTABLISHED IN GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW §3- C
Town of Ulysses
September 10, 2019
Audio of the minutes are available on the website at ulysses.ny.us.
The meeting was held at the Ulysses Town Hall at 10 Elm Street, Trumansburg.
Notice of Town Board meetings are posted on the town’s website and clerk’s board.
ATTENDANCE:
TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT:
Supervisor- Liz Thomas
Board members- Michael Boggs, John Hertzler, Nancy Zahler, Richard Goldman
Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato
Attorney for the Town- Khandi Sokoni
Project Assistant- Michelle Wright
OTHERS PRESENT:
Linda Liddle, Roxanne Marino, Jaime Cone
OPENING THE HEARING:
Ms. Thomas stated that the purpose of the hearing is Local Law 2 of 2019: To Override the Tax Levy
Limit Established In General Municipal Law §3-C.
She went on to say:
“Specifically, this local law allows the town of Ulysses government to have authority to set the tax
levy at a level it finds to be appropriate to provide the proper services that will keep residents safe
and provide for a thriving community- otherwise stated as preserving the Health, Safety and Welfare
of our community as dictated by the law.
During the budget season from the end of September to the end of October, the Town of Ulysses
board will be reviewing expenses and revenues, and if they should find that more funds need to be
expended or put into reserves for future needs, this override gives the latitude to do so. The Town
Board fully intends to stay within the cap if at all possible, but not all costs are in our control, for
example last year, health care costs increased ~10%. The cost for Fire protection and EMS will
increase nearly 11% of the tax levy, with the decision under the full control of the Village of
Trumansburg and about 1/3 of the total tax levy.”
She directed those in attendance to copies of the proposed local law in the back of the room, and
noted that the word “adjusted” on line 52 should be replaced with “adjudged.”
Ms. Thomas went on to add that the date of this public hearing was set by resolution of the Town
Board on August 13, 2019 and a notice of the hearing was published in the Ithaca Journal on Friday,
August 23, 2019.
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She further added:
“The purpose of this public hearing is to afford the general public an opportunity to make statements
and comments about the Local Law and is a time for the board to LISTEN to comments from the
public, not to engage in a dialog or ask questions on the subject.
Comments presented at this hearing will be taken into consideration by the Town Board when it
considers action on the proposed Local Law. The Town Board may take action on this proposed Local
Law tonight.”
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Ms. Thomas noted that a resident wrote in on the topic and was concerned about the high taxes in
New York State.
CLOSING THE HEARING:
Having no comments, Mr. Boggs made a motion to close the hearing at 7:07pm. This was seconded
by Ms. Zahler and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato on 9/17/19.