Taxes and Fees
Taxes and Fees
Mayor’s response to Depew budget tax increase, a classic example of government transparency
Lee Chowaniec
This past week, the Depew Village Board adopted their 2008-09 budget. The $12.31 million budget apportions $11.63 million into the general fund and $565,694 in the sewer fund. While overall budget spending increases by 6.1, the tax levy increases by only 3.1 percent.
May 4, 2008, 20:33
Taxes and Fees
Newly appointed Assessor addresses Town Board
Lee Chowaniec
Dave Marrano, newly appointed Town Assessor, appeared before the Lancaster Town Board at their recent pre-meeting work session and informed them that he intends to appear before the board once a month “to circulate departmental reports.”
Dec 28, 2007, 15:21
Taxes and Fees
Lancaster investigating revisiting property reassessment program
Lee Chowaniec
Lancaster received a correspondence from the NYS Office of Real Property Services (ORPS) advising them of the benefit of assessing property at 100 percent market value. Wanting more information, Town Assessor Christine Fusco contacted ORPS and had a representative address the board at the last Town Board meeting.
Aug 1, 2007, 10:06
Taxes and Fees
Lancaster School Budget: Incredible value?
Lee Chowaniec
The Lancaster School Board recently adopted a 2007-08 budget that increases spending by 6.55 percent ($4.7 million). The $76.37 million budget’s increase will be primarily offset by the increase in 2006 property assessments and increased state aid, resulting in a 25 cent per thousand assessed property increase. “An incredible value,” says School Board President Ken Graber. Really?
Apr 6, 2007, 14:11
Taxes and Fees
LIDA misinformation correction
Lee Chowaniec
Resident Henry Gull appeared before the Lancaster Industrial Development Agency (LIDA) recently and intimated that the TOPS Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILOT) agreement was not up to snuff.
Mar 30, 2007, 10:44
Taxes and Fees
Resident petitions Lancaster IDA for transparency and verification
Lee Chowaniec
Lancaster resident Henry Gull attended the recent Lancaster Industrial Development Agency (LIDA) meeting to seek clarification as to whether the agency was acting appropriately in holding one of its recipients accountable.
Mar 25, 2007, 16:26
Taxes and Fees
Financial Comparisons between Depew and Other Villages: Part 2 Expenditures
Gary S. Howell
To insure financial viability, the new leaders must find ways to increase non-property tax income while reducing wages and benefits.
Mar 22, 2007, 19:29
Taxes and Fees
Financial Comparisons between Depew and Other Villages: Part 1 – Revenues
Gary S. Howell
Last week, Depew released its proposed budget for fiscal 2007-08. By using information in the State’s report and Depew’s budget, village residents can see how Depew compares to other villages.
Mar 20, 2007, 16:36
Taxes and Fees
Inflated Incomes in Depew’s Budget Questioned
Gary S. Howell
If projected incomes are overstated, the Mayor has two choices. He can keep the tax rate the same and take more money from the fund balance, or he can raise the tax rate before the budget is approved.
Mar 19, 2007, 14:59
Taxes and Fees
Depew, High Taxes, Poverty and the Future
Gary S. Howell
Is it possible that Depew will become what Buffalo is today – a blighted community?
Mar 13, 2007, 18:12
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