Supervisors mull tax cap override

Public hearing scheduled for Sept. 11

WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. » The Madison County Board of Supervisors will again consider overriding the state-imposed property tax levy cap.

Since it was enacted in 2012, the property tax cap has limited local governments in how much they can increase their tax levy. A 2 percent cap has been imposed; that rate is calculated based on inflation and changes every year.

The board passed a resolution at its meeting Tuesday scheduling a public hearing for its Sept. 11 meeting to allow public input on whether or not the county should override the tax cap. Based on state mandate, the county cannot raise property tax rates by an amount that will allow the tax levy to exceed the cap, unless the board overrides it.

If the board votes to override the cap, it could circumvent that rule and raise the tax levy by a calculated 2.5 percent in the next budget. In order to do that, 60 percent of the board will have to approve. The override won’t come up for a vote until after the public hearing.

Brookfield Supervisor John Salka voted against the resolution Tuesday.

In its proposed legislation to override the cap, the board said state-mandated programs like Medicaid, public assistance, child welfare, pre-school special education, indigent defense, early intervention, youth detention and pension costs are unfunded costs that force the county to override the cap.

“Due to the cost of the state mandated programs and services the Madison County Board of Supervisors has been forced to authorize the override of the state

imposed tax cap in order to have sufficient funds to protect the wellbeing of the citizens of Madison County and provide essential local public health, safety and infrastructure programs and services,” the local law says. “Madison County can effectively implement a property tax cap only if there is ameaningful action by the state of New York to control the cost of stated mandated programs and services and provide mandate relief.” approach the bat and place a coffee can or plastic container over it trapping it against the wall or floor.

•Carefully slip a flat piece of cardboard under the can or container trapping the bat inside.

•Tape the cardboard to the can sealing the bat inside.

• Contact the Oneida County Health Department at 798-5064 for instructions for having the bat tested for rabies.

To protect yourself and your pets, OCHD offers the following tips:

•Always vaccinate your pets, including horses. Pets may encounter bats outdoors or in the home.

•Bat-proof your home or cabin by plugging all holes in the siding and maintaining tight-fitting screens.

For more information call the OCHD at 315-7985064.