Proposed town budget includes tax cut
Desso attributes 3 percent reduction to sound management, development
At a time when most municipalites are struggling to balance their annual budgets without hittting taxpayers too hard, town taxpayers would actually see their tax bill drop under the proposed 2018 budget presented by town supervisor Lou Desso.
Desso credited strong fiscal management for allowing him to submit a proposed $11.98 million budget that would cut the town tax rate from $5.15 per $1,000 in assessed value to about $5, a change of about 3 percent.
“This budget will continue the spending reform that we started in 2008 and reflect improved services for our town,” Desso said Tuesday, “as we have been able to maintain, improve and expand critical services, including infrastructure, safety enhancements, youth and recreation programs and highway services.”
The decrease would mark the 10th consecutive year in which town residents and business owners did not see a tax hike, and Desso is hopeful new development will allow the town to continue that streak.
“The tax decrease is based on 10 years of proper management of town finances,” said Desso. “The new development going on on Route 4, the income generated from that has not yet been received by North Greenbush, but when it does, I expect future tax decreases for town residents.”
Spending is up by about 2.4 percent in Desso’s proposal, including contracted raises for all unionized town employees and a 2 percent pay bump for elected and appointed officials and nonunion employees.
The town highway fund tax rate will also remain unchanged at $5.70 per $1,000 of assessed value, but residents would see a slight increase in their water and sewer rates. The water rate would climb from $71.02 to $72.09, while the sewer rate would increase fromn $62.46 to $62.76, with Desso explaining the rate increases are necessary to cover design costs to extend service along Route 43 east from Route 4.
“That’s part of town-wide water that’s going to help everyone,” Desso said, “so it’s a small increase, but not much.”
With taxes in New York state among the highest in the nation, Desso has promised since first
running for a seat on the Town Board in 2008 to expand the town’s tax base and better manage its finances to at least relieve the burden on local taxpayers.
“Many folks thought I was delusional in 2008 when I announced that my goal was to balance the budget without raising taxes and someday reduce taxes for the people of North Greenbush,” said Desso. “It took
10 years, but I could not be happier or more proud to say that time is now.”
Desso, who is running for re-election to a second term against Democrat Ronald Sinico, was quick to point out he didn’t achieve the town’s financial success alone.
“My elected partners in town government, [Town Board members] Kelly Hoffman, Mike Masone, Joe Bott and Al Spain, our comptroller, Anthony Germano, town employees, and, most of all, North Greenbush taxpayers, have worked with me to make these results happen,” he said. “I’m thankful for their strong partnership.”