The proposed 2002 budget for the Town of Clarkson will mark the seventh year in a row that taxpayers have either seen their tax rates decrease or remain flat.

Town of Clarkson Supervisor Paul Kimball said the proposed 2002 tax rate of $7.82 per thousand of assessed valuation would be less than the rate was in 1990. The tax rate per thousand in 1990 was $7.96.

The tax rate in 2001 was $8.02. This year's proposed tax rate marks a two-and-a-half percent decrease over last year's rate.

"We have seen a growth in our revenue sources in both sales and mortgage tax and a growth of new houses in the town," Kimball said.

Kimball said the budget holds the lines on expenses and includes an across the board three percent salary increase for employees.

"I have increased the total personal services for the building inspector and code enforcement officers from $10,720 to $30,000," he said. "The reason for the increase is to provide full time coverage in these areas."

The total proposed Clarkson budget appropriations are $2,113,961.80.

"We are looking at a two-and-a-half percent decrease in taxes in this proposed budget," he said.

The proposed budget does not take into consideration the town's portion of the ambulance and fire budget with the Village of Brockport.

"I have concerns with the ambulance budget," Kimball said. "I don't think it accurately reflects what the village is going to do. We need to have some questions answered."

The town has to adopt the fire/ambulance budget by November 20 in order to include the figures in its budget process, he said.