Hoosic Valley School Budget 0% Tax Levy Increase – by C. Barton

Hoosic Valley- The Board of Education unanimously adopted a budget of $20,475,511 at the April 21st Board of Education meeting.  The proposed 2015-2016 proposed budget is at a 0% tax levy increase. Mr. Anthony Cammarata, Business Administrator presented an overview of the preliminary budget highlights at a workshop held on April 13th. The final version of the proposed budget was formally approved by the Board of Education at the meeting on April 21st. The formal adoption of the budget will await voter approval on May 19th.

Read the entire article in the April 30th edition.

City Adresses $ Problems – by Harold Wessell

MECHANICVILLE, January 16th At the first City Business Meeting of the year, Finance Commissioner Jodie Gilheany reported in part that she did a calculation on the salary increases that were in the budget passed at the end of the year, and knew she wasn't happy with the 3 percent increase for the non-contractual personnel. The cost of the new CSEA contract with fringes was $17,302 and the cost of the non-cractual increases $15,042; which totals $32,343. "And the only extra money we had in the budget was $25,000. Therefore we have to find a way to make up another $7,300." She indicated she would work up some numbers, and would like the Council to consider increasing the percentage that the employee’s non-contractual pay toward their health insurance and of course the dental plan. "We have to cover this somehow."

Entire article in the January 23, issue of the Express.

Mechanicville to Raise Taxes 17.7 %

The 2013 fund balance of nearly $400,000 is now depleted. The State Court has ruled that utility lines that run through municipalities have to be taxed at a much lower rate. This is the primary reason that the taxable assessed value has been reduced by over $425,000.

These two shortfalls equal $825,000. The City Council felt it had to raise the taxes this year to overcome the shortfalls.

Entire article in the January 9th issue of the Express.