Town budget would raise tax levy 3.6%

The 2019 spending proposal totals about $7.7 million, which is 2.6 percent larger than its 2018 counterpart.

The proposed town budget for 2019 total about $7.7 million and would increase the property tax levy by 3.6 percent over the 2018 level.

The 2019 proposal is 2.6 percent larger than the town’s current budget. The 2019 tax levy — the total expected revenue from property taxes — has been set at just over $6 million. That’s about $210,000 more than the 2018 levy, and town officials said the new amount is $68,128 below the maximum allowed by the state.

“I think it’s a good, sound budget,” said Woodstock Supervisor Bill McKenna.

Salaries for elected officials in the proposed budget are $56,650 for the supervisor, up $1,246 percent from 2018; $10,868.25 for each of the Town Board’s four members, up $239; $51,421 for the town clerk, up $1,131; and $23,140 for each of the two town justices, up $509.50.

The 2019 budget also includes:

• $1.26 million for employees’ medical insurance, up 10 percent from 2018.

• About $991,000 for the police department, up 1.7 percent.

• $561,126 for road repairs, up 1.4 percent.

• About $531,000 for road improvements, up 28 percent.

• $457,000 for state retirement expenses, down 2.8 percent.

• $416,610 for bond expenses, down 11.2 percent.

• $268,850 for snow removal, up 3 percent.

• $141,738 for workers ‘compensation, up 15.9 percent.

• $106,320 for youth programs, up 2 percent.

• $91,315 for summer recreation, up 4.9 percent.