It’s a community decision

Dear Editor,

This is the start of the budget process season. The board, in partnership with each department, forms a budget for the Village of Owego to take effect beginning in August. I am asking everyone if we can all take an hour out of our busy lives for our budget presentation and attend the village board meeting on Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. at the Ronald E. Dougherty County Office Building’s Hubbard Auditorium located at 56 Main St. in Owego, N.Y. 

This is everyone’s chance to see what our budget looks like for the upcoming 2018/2019 year. We will also be projecting out two years forward and taking a look back at previous budget numbers. It’s time ALL OF US take a serious look at what faces our community.  

The village board is again being faced with battling the 2 percent tax cap. The last two budget years this board held a zero percent tax increase, unfortunately that seems unlikely for the upcoming years. An increase is more than likely unavoidable, no matter whom is elected to office next month.  

However, the size of the increase will be based largely on what YOU, the community, tell us what direction you want for the Village. The initial proposed budget for the 2018/2019 indicates an 18 PERCENT PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. This board has made cuts to departments through attrition in the past couple of years to make for a more long-term sustainable level of service.  

However, these departments are now mostly operating with a minimum of employees while still facing increasing costs for each department. It is your village, and we want to hear from you on Feb. 5 on what you want us to do with the budget. Do you support overriding the 2 percent tax cap, do you want to hold to neutral budget increase in taxes, a decrease in property taxes, or maybe you want an increase in taxes for increased services.  

It is you, the taxpayer and resident, that should decide the direction you want the village to take.

I hope to see many of you this Monday.

Sincerely,

Steve May

Village of Owego Mayor