Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-09-PH-LL4-of 2016-FINAL-minutesPUBLIC HEARING LOCAL LAW 4 OF 2016: TO OVERRIDE THE TAX LEVY LIMIT ESTABLISHED IN GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW §3- C Town of Ulysses August 9, 2016 Audio of the minutes are available on the website at ulysses.ny.us. The hearing was held at the Ulysses Town Hall at 10 Elm Street, Trumansburg. PRESENT: Supervisor- Liz Thomas 1St Deputy Supervisor- Nancy Zahler Board members- Rich Goldman, John Hertzler, Michael Boggs Clerk- Carissa Parlato OTHERS PRESENT: Bill Houseworth, Carolyn Duddleston, Sandra Duddleston, Doug Duddleston, Greg Grodem MOTION TO OPEN HEARING: Ms. Zahler made a motion to open the hearing at 6pm, seconded my Mr. Hertzler and passed unanimously. OPENING STATEMENT BY SUPERVISOR THOMAS: Welcome. My name is Elizabeth Thomas and I am the Supervisor of the Town of Ulysses. I am conducting tonight's public hearing on behalf of the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses. Before we begin, I'd like to introduce the other members of the Town Board: Richard Goldman, John Hertzler, Michael Boggs and Nancy Zahler (1 st Deputy Supervisor); Town Clerk, Carissa Parlato. The subject of this public hearing is the proposed Local Law to override the tax levy limit established in general municipal law 3-C. 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 poring over expenses and revenues and if we should find that more funds need to be expended or put into reserves for future needs, this override gives us the latitude to do so. We fully intend 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 –5%. We know that an extension to the fire Hall is planned—an expensive endeavor, with the decision under the full control of the Village of Trumansburg, but the biggest portion (nearly half) funded by the town. We expect, but do not know how much this increase will be, but Fire/EMS costs are a little less than half the town's levy and is expected to increase by well over the 0.6% state target. The costs to fix a problem with water district 3 continues to affect the overall levy, even though only WD3 users actually pay this levy. We do not know yet to what extent the water district levy will change. We have no control over these increases and no choice but to absorb them, while still paying for other essential services. On top of this, our highway equipment fund has been underfunded for years and we simply must put money into reserves to ensure our equipment is replaced on a reasonable cycle. One bright spot in overall property taxes is the state's commitment to pay for the state mandate of providing legal defense to low income residents. This has been a cost borne by the county, but if the state were to pay for this mandate, it was estimated county taxes would be cut by 14%. This translates into a reduction of the total local government tax bill of a 10% for town residents and 6.25% for village residents. Copies of the proposed Local law are available at the back of the room. The date of this public hearing was set by resolution of the Town Board on July 26, 2016 and a notice of this hearing was published in the Ithaca Journal on Saturday July 30, 2016. TOWN BOARD MEETING August 9, 2016 The purpose of this public hearing is to afford the general public an opportunity to make statements and comments about the Local Law. The hearing will remain open until all members of the public who are present at the hearing have been given an opportunity to make statements or comments on the proposed amendments. A public hearing 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. We welcome the public to ask questions about the budget anytime to myself or Town Board members directly, or during the budget process in September and October. A public hearing on the budget will precede its adoption, but it is best to engage before the public hearing. 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 based on comments from the public. Speakers should try to limit their comments to no more than 3 minutes. I request that each speaker state your name and the municipality in which you live. You may, but do not need to say your address. If you are appearing as a representative of an organization or governmental entity, please identify the organization or entity and state its address. Next I will address some administrative matters by noting the presence of the following documents: 1. Affidavit of Publication in the Ithaca Journal on July 30, 2016 2. The proposed Local Law. I would now ask speakers to raise a hand should they like to speak. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mr. Houseworth asked for clarification on the topic. He thinks there is enough income from new buildings to keep taxes down and is against the override. CLOSING THE HEARING: Ms. Thomas asked for any final comments before closing the hearing. Hearing no comments, Mr. Goldman made a motion to close the hearing at 6:18pm, seconded by Mr. Boggs and passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato on 8/12/16. 2