Proposed town of Kingston budget includes 40% tax levy hike

TOWN OF KINGSTON, N.Y. >> Town Board members have set an Oct. 19 public hearing on overriding the state tax levy limit as they review a draft spending plan with a $1.02 million levy representing a 40.34% increase of $293,217.

The session will be at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall at 906 Sawkill Road. There will also be a Nov. 7 public hearing on the budget.

Officials have proposed the budget at $1.24 million for a 12.39% increase of $137,168.

Salaries for officials under the budget include supervisor at $22,001 for a 27.19% increase of $4,703; highway superintendent at $19,278 for a 20% increase of $3,213; clerk/ tax collector at $25,002 for a 63.32% increase of $9,693; town justice at $25,387 for a 17% increase of $3,689; and four Town Board members at $4,800 each for a 17.76% increase of $724.

Other changes in the budget include:

• Town attorney salary at $13,389, for a 17% percent increase while contractual attorney costs are $50,000 for a 100% increase of $25,000.

• Insurance costs at $30,294, for a 10% increase of $2,754.

• Culture and recreations at $30,294, for a 10% increase of $2,754.

• Solid waste pick up at $95,785, for a 2.5% increase of $2,339.

• Employee benefits at $151,827, for a 2.55% decrease of $3,977.

• Debt service at $38,370, for a 3.51% decrease of $1,395.

• Highway maintenance at $39,920, for a 17.93% increase of $6,070.

• Highway improvements at $83,743, for a 12.31% increase of $9,182.

• Highway machinery at $85,634, for a 46% increase of $26,982.

• Snow removal at $99,262, for a 12.81% decrease of $14,590.