School board sets 2018-19 tax rates

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. » School district trustees have adopted a $38.73 million property tax levy representing a 2.54 percent levy increase of $956,610.

The levy was adopted during Board of Education meeting Tuesday, with officials setting tax rates for three municipalities.

District voters on May 15 gave 663-345 approval to the levy as part of a $63.98 million 2018-19 budget carrying a 2.55 percent spending increase of $1.59 million.

Rates per $1,000 assessed valuation for residential and commercial properties will be:

• Saugerties at $19.90, a 1.59 percent decrease of 32 cents.

• Town of Ulster at $25.35, a 1.67 percent increase of 42 cents.

• Woodstock at $21.06, for a 3.1 percent increase of 63 cents.

Tax bills can be paid through Sept. 30 without penalty, through Oct. 31 with a 2 percent penalty, and through Nov. 5 with a 3 percent penalty.

The property tax levy increase is the maximum amount allowed by the state without triggering the rule that 60 percent of voters must say “yes” for the budget to be enacted.

Main expenses in the approved 2018-19 budget include:

• $17.6 million for regular school teaching costs, up 1.6 percent from 2017-18.

• $11.4 million for employee medical benefits, up 6.2 percent.

• $9.2 million for programs for students with disabilities, down 2.3 percent.

• $4.4 million for transportation, up 9.2 percent.

• $2.7 million for teacher retirement costs, up 8.1 percent.