Spencerport village tax rate remains stable

Spencerport Mayor Ted Walker and the Board of Trustees invite all interested persons to the Public Hearing to review the village's proposed Fiscal Year 2002/2003 budget. The public hearing will be held Wednesday, April 3, at 7 p.m. at Station 1 Fire Hall on Lyell Avenue.

The General Fund tax rate is scheduled to decrease from $1.77 per $1,000 assessed valuation to $1.57. The reduced tax rate is a result of the proposed consolidation of Spencerport Fire Department and Ogden Parma Fire Districts on June 1, 2002. Fewer Village of Spencerport tax dollars are required to support the new fire district until the "Spencerport Fire District" begins raising revenues on January 1, 2003 from both town and village residents, according to village officials.

Despite a static general tax rate, the village will continue to offer a wide range of activities and services to its residents. The concerts at the Gazebo will continue on Sundays throughout the summer. The sidewalk upgrade program continues and road improvements will be determined utilizing the Geographic Information System (GIS) program initiated over the past year. Equipment purchases follow our replacement plans. One ten-year-old six-wheel dump truck will be replaced under the proposed budget. Additionally, systematic upgrades to the interior of the Village office are scheduled. The proposed budget also sets aside monies to study American Disability Act (ADA) facility requirements as they relate to the Village office. Replacement of our financial software system and some technology upgrades will also continue. Salaries of employees will increase about 3.5 percent. We are setting aside money for employee salary adjustments that may occur based on the findings of a professional study presently being completed. No changes are planned for other General Fund fees.

The sewer user fee will increase from $145 per unit to $165 per unit for village residents. The Sewer Fund will support upgrades to process equipment, painting of the WWTP facility, repairs to sections of sewers, and normal operating and maintenance expenses. The budget provides for borrowing of funds to upgrade the sludge tank for operational improvements and odor control. A sewer camera will be purchased jointly by Spencerport, Brockport and Hilton. It will be used to survey our sewer system and can be used to pinpoint problem locations and assist with remediation initiatives.

The water rate was recently increased and will remain constant for 2002. The Water Fund continues system upgrades with the Prospect/Noble Maplewood upgrade project beginning April 1, 2002. Replacement of selected water valves on Union Street, north of the canal, will also permit better isolation during emergencies.

The Electric Fund will provide for new installations at Hickory Hollow, Ballard Avenue, senior housing at Union and Ogden Parma Town Line Road, the new Elementary School on Lyell Avenue and some upgrades at Thistlewood. Electric revenue forecasts remain down due to our exceptional warm winter weather. Deregulation has also caused the franchise higher than anticipated service provider costs. We continue to work with our Franchise Service Providers to ensure costs reflect the services they provide and ensure our Electric Franchise remains in good fiscal order.

Residents are invited to attend the April 3 meeting.

prepared by Village officials