Thursday, September 24, 2009

Budget Includes Increase

The Plattsburgh mayor’s proposed 2010 budget includes an increase in the tax levy. Mayor Donald Kasprzak unveiled his budget proposal last night, which includes a 7.5-percent increase in the tax levy. The Press Republican reports that the tax rate would rise 4.9 percent or by fifty cents per $1000 of assessed valuation. Kasprzak said rates for water and sewer service would not increase, but that city electric rates could go up between five and almost six and a half percent. That issue is now before a judge and waiting for a decision. The Municipal Lighting Department is in the red more than a million dollars and the mayor proposed layoffs in the department, but the council voted it down. The council then has until Jan. 15 to approve a final plan.