Sweden's prelim budget tax figures show decrease

Sweden's prelim budget tax figures show decrease

While the Town of Sweden is looking at increases in expenses in some areas, board members were still able to hold the line - and potentially reduce it - on the 2007 tax rate.

Projected tax rates per $1,000 of assessed valuation for taxpayers within the Village of Brockport are $2.33, they are $2.33 currently; tax rates for taxpayers outside the village are estimated at $4.43, they are currently $4.51 per $1,000.

The budget calls for total appropriations of $4,271,220; estimated revenues of $1,794,320; and unexpended balances of $565,500. The amount estimated to be raised by taxes is $1,911,400.

Sweden Supervisor Buddy Lester said that even with employees receiving a 3 percent increase, and with major improvements such as $25,000 for repaving the highway garage/recycling center parking lot; an additional $10,000 in highway equipment purchases; and $4,000 additional to survey the next section of the Lakeview Cemetery, rates were kept in line.

Employees who are making minimum wage will not be receiving pay increases as the New York state minimum wage is increasing from $6.75 per hour to $7.15 in January - a 6 percent increase. "Those employees are mostly teenagers working in the recreation department," he said.

The $4,000 for surveying is because the cemetery is running low on lots that have been surveyed.

The town was able to reduce expenses by $30,000 in health insurance by switching carriers to Preferred Care and decreased expenses by $34,000 by restructuring its liability insurance coverage.

"The town board is pleased to be able to prepare a preliminary budget for 2007 that reduces the tax rate while preserving every service that our residents have come to expect," Lester said. "We've been able to do this in part because of the assessment update undertaken by the assessment office this year. But we have also worked hard to find ways to reduce costs. We have made a change to our senior center nutrition program that will save us nearly $50,000, while providing our seniors with the same nutritious lunch they currently have."

Salaries for elected officials as presented for 2007 are: $22,350, supervisor; $6,520, councilpeople; $16,409, justices; $71,070 highway superintendent; $36,560, town clerk. Salaries for the officials in 2006 were, $21,700, supervisor; $6,330, councilpeople; $15,931, justices; $69,000, highway superintendent; and $35,500, town clerk.

The preliminary budget will be presented at a public hearing on October 24 at 7 p.m. at the town offices.

"We continue to review and analyze every area of the budget to be sure that we are delivering services in the most cost effective manner," Lester said. "I think the 2007 preliminary budget achieves this goal."