Sweden's preliminary budget to be presented

Taxpayers in the Town of Sweden will be looking at a slight tax increase when the preliminary budget is presented Tuesday, October 28.

Preliminary figures for 2004 show a total regular budget of $4,022,696. Last year's budget was $3,743,905. The proposed tax rate for taxpayers in the town who live outside of the village will be $4.10, up from $3.88; the tax rate inside the village will be $2.14, up from $2.09.

"Given today's economy the increase was warranted," Town of Sweden Supervisor Buddy Lester said. "Many of the increased expenditures are ones that are thrust upon us and are state mandated."

Some of the New York state mandates the town is faced with are contributions to the state retirement system ($98,137 increase); increased costs in caring for the cemetery which the state turned over to the town; a health insurance benefit increase of $49,933; a $10,000 increase in fuel costs; increases in insurance costs for buildings, vehicles and other town property of $10,000; Worker's Compensation increases of $9,065. Other major increases are the repayment of debt incurred for the rehabilitation of Hollybrook Road at a cost of $77,364 and the costs associated with refuse pick-up in the spring and the fall of $5,000. Lester said the repairs to Hollybrook were requested by taxpayers and they will make it safer and add to the property values.

"Income streams are also down in two areas," Lester explained. "The town is looking at $22,000 less in general interest earnings from our bank accounts and a decrease in cemetery revenues by $8,500."

Lester said that cutting services would be a way to trim costs but constituents have told him they want the services the town provides such as having the roads plowed, having access to recreational services, etc. "We try to provide them at an affordable cost," he said. "It's easy to say 'do away with the spending' but what services do you, as a constituent, want to give up?"

The town has to raise $1.6 million in taxes to balance the budget. The proposed budget includes a 3 percent raise for employees and elected officials. There were no cuts in services and no new employees will be added. The actual tax levy is minimal, Lester said. Inside the village it amounts to a 2.4 percent increase or 50 cents a month and taxpayers outside the village will see a $2 a month increase. The figures are based on an average house valued at $100,000.

A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28 in the courtroom of the Sweden Town Building.