Brockport taxpayers may see rate increase

Taxpayers in the Village of Brockport may see a tax increase if the $5.8 million proposed budget is passed.

The proposed 2005-2006 budget calls for a total spending plan increase of about two percent or $4,775,723, up from last year's $4,677,272. Bottom line for the taxpayer is a proposed tax rate increase of 2.75 percent. Tax rates are proposed to be $8.96 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2005-2006, up from $8.72 per $1,000 in 2004-2005.

Village of Brockport Treasurer Ian Coyle said the taxed assessed on a single family home would increase approximately $21 per year.

"Depending on the reassessment figures, individual taxpayers may expect either higher or lower taxes, depending on the assessment," Coyle said.

Most of the increases in the budget come from staff expenses, a reserve fund increase and the ever-increasing cost of medical insurance and retirement benefits. Coyle said the village has been hit with more than 250 percent increases in medical and retirement costs over the past two years.

This year's proposed budget also plans to return about $62,000 to the capital reserve fund. Over the past two budget years the village has spent $400,000 from the reserve fund.

The police department has proposed a $8,644 decrease in spending to $1,091,113 while street maintenance will decrease $59,890 to $428,366. Employee salary increases of three percent are written into the proposed spending plan. This year, trustee and mayor stipends will also increase by three percent. Trustee salaries would increase to $4,729, up $138 in 2004-2005. The mayor would earn $11,344, an increase of $330 from last year's salary.

Also included in the budget is money for the Seymour Library budget. It will be an increase of three percent to $151,438.

Mayor Josephine Matela said because the village opted into Monroe County's Workmen's Compensation pool which most other municipalities participate in, they will realize a savings of $40,000 this year. "We worked very hard to make sure we did the best we could with what we have," she said of the budget process. "We recognize it's difficult for taxpayers to keep with tax increases and when we're making spending decisions we are sensitive to increases in taxes."

Matela said the village itself is being hit with some of the same increases that individuals are also facing, such as increases in fuel prices.

"We keep looking for ways to stimulate our economy here in the village because if people come here to spend their money it means our businesses are thriving."

The village is also collaborating with three builders that are looking to construct new home tracts within the village.

"There is always room for us to improve and that's what we're looking to do over the next four years," Matela said. "We want to continually improve our processes and give the taxpayers the best value we can."

There will be a budget hearing on April 4 at 7 p.m. The final budget must be adopted by May 1.