Dear Editor,
I’ve been a trustee for almost a year now. I have more questions now then I did when I started. I’m starting to get to some answers, but it is not easy.
What does the future hold for our village? I don’t know exactly. I don’t have a crystal ball, but I feel that there are some obvious things that need to be considered so that we can prepare for the future. Our residents should have more facts that are more readily available to them.
As a Trustee it’s very challenging to get to some of the facts. So, how can our village really be prepared if most of the residents don’t get easy access to the details and facts?
Our village budget is $3,299,520 for the current fiscal year. The fiscal year of the village runs from Aug. 1 to July 31.
There are six trustees and one mayor. All seven of these votes count the same for all village board decisions. A mayor is a trustee. These are facts. See Local Law 4-400.
We have a state imposed tax cap of .12 percent. It means that the state is encouraging villages like ours to figure out how to reduce our local property taxes.
This summer a mayor and six trustees will vote on the next budget. On March 15 we get to vote for one mayor and three trustees.
If we raise taxes to the .12 percent state limit then it would be a total increase to our overall village budget of $3,959 [$3,299,520 X .0012 = $3,959].
Provided that we stay within the tax cap that will leave $3,959 in added money to cover any and all budget increases for our entire village operations. This includes items like: village salaries, equipment, maintenance, fuel, etc. Everything. $3,959 is simply is not enough to cover all of the cost increases that our village will see for fiscal year 2016-17. I don’t think we have to raise taxes. I think that we have to manage what we have more efficiently and effectively.
Our village can override the tax cap. It requires a 60 percent vote from the residents. Some local laws might need to change also. I think that overriding the tax cap is equivalent to treating the taxpayers as if they are a credit card for this village. This village is all of ours. We need to manage it together. It will be tough, but it will also help bring back some pride.
On March 15 I will vote for all of the Taxpayers First candidates. I can’t possibly summarize the abilities and the strengths of these people in a letter.
I want Steve May to be our next mayor. Steve will provide some important insight to the residents of our village. We will not “wonder” about village financial details any longer. We deserve a mayor that is honest and forthcoming with the facts.
I want Ed Morton to be a trustee of our village because of his strong financial background and his dedication. He has truly rebuilt a historic part of our village. He is dedicated to this village.
I want Earl Hartman to continue as a trustee because he has a lot of experience with a broad range of subject matters. Earl knows “how things work around here”. That’s pretty important when you want to get something done.
I want Mike Phelps to continue being a trustee for his experience on the board, experience in law enforcement, and the fact that Mike does not sugar coat and he does not waiver.
All of these candidates are strong on their own, but together they will bring a lot of talent and experience to our village board.
No matter who wins the election, I know one thing for sure – nothing will change overnight. It is not that simple. If the Taxpayers Party candidates are elected I know that we will have more factual information than we have had in a long time and then this village will be able to get our feet back on solid ground and start moving toward a more positive future.
The election is on Tuesday, March 15 at the Central Fire Station on North Avenue. Polls are open from noon until 9 p.m.
Sincerely,
Rob Manville
Village of Owego Trustee
