The village of Churchville Board of Trustees has passed the $3,028,130 budget for 2001-2002, and for the fifth year in a row there will be no tax increase for village residents.

"We are able to keep the tax rate constant due to the village board, along with (Village Clerk) Sue Davis and (Department of Public Works Superintendent) Dave Adams, being fiscally responsible in planning for the future--planning wisely and investing wisely," said Mayor Donald R. Ehrmentraut.

The tax rate of $2.92 per $1,000 of assessed value has remained the same since the 1996-1997 fiscal year. This translates to a tax bill of $292 for a village home valued at $100,000.

The village’s general fund--from which money is appropriated for things like sidewalks, lighting, parks, animal control, snow removal, salaries and buildings--is up slightly to $1,108,859 from $1,008,465 last year. This year’s budget uses $178,955 from the general fund’s reserve. This represents half of the fund’s reserve, a percentage trustees try not to exceed.

The rest of the more than three-million dollar budget comesfrom self-supporting funds (water, sewer and electric funds), and from the debt service fund. Ehrmentraut said the village is watching the water fund carefully. Eighty-five percent of the fund’s $115,788 reserve is being appropriated into this year’s budget.

The estimated tax levy for next year is $201,774, up from last year’s $191,946. The village is able to collect more money without raising the tax rate due to an increased tax base from development and rising values.

Ehrmentraut said it is important to note that village services are remaining constant. "This year we are able to build a new municipal building without raising taxes," he added. The new village office building is under construction now, on East Buffalo Street.

"Overall the village is financially very strong. We are very pleased with the direction the village is going in the year 2001," Ehrmentraut said. He said trustees weigh expenditures very carefully against the needs of the community. "We always keep in mind the needs of the taxpayers and the community, especially our senior citizens. We are
always conscious of the costs to them."

The budget was passed unanimously by the Village Board at its January 2 meeting, following a public hearing not attended by any residents.