Porter 2005 budget calls for cut in tax rate

2005 Porter budget plan funds two libraries, provides salary increases

by Terry Duffy
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, October 30, 2004

Porter Town Board members (minus Councilman Jeff Baker who was absent) reviewed various elements of the town’s 2005 preliminary budget summary before a small handful of residents Monday night at Town Hall.

Those very scant few in attendance received some good news however, as it was announced by Supervisor/Budget Officer Mert Weipert that the town’s spending plan calls for a cut in its tax rate in the coming year for residents. Presented that night was a preliminary budget of $4,555,133, which provides for modest increases in spending along with some potential projects for the town -- all coming with a drop in the tax rate -- from 88 cents per thousand of assessed valuation under the 2004 plan, to 79 cents per thousand assessed according to numbers released in the 2005 preliminary budget summary.

Wiepert informed that the 2005 budget total -- up from last year’s $4.1 million figure -- reflected an improved spending picture based on greater monies coming to the town from its most recent reassessment of residential properties conducted earlier this year, plus existing fund balances.

The reassessment resulted in an increase of some $28 million coming to the town -- a nearly 10 percent hike, Wiepert said. “We were able to lower the taxes by the amount increased in assessments,” said Wiepert, who added the town also factored in monies due from its payment schedule of Chemical Waste Management Community Host Agreement funds -- which will see Porter receiving $375,000 in December of 2004, and $325,000 due in 2005 -- in its spending plan.

The Numbers

Town Clerk John MacArthur reported the 2005 budget provides for $1,470,287 in appropriations to the town’s General Fund A, with $144,028 to be raised by taxes -- and a cost figure of 44 cents per thousand, down from last year’s 49 cents per thousand. The town’s Highway DA-Townwide fund calls for $394,996 in appropriations with $114,567 to be raised by taxes -- 35 cents per thousand, down from last year’s 39 cents per thousand.

Others revealed that night included the General Fund B, which sees $1,306,334 appropriated which funding coming from sales tax monies. The town’s Highway DB-Outside Village appropriation is $331,342, with no impact on the tax rate. And the town’s 2005 Water Department appropriation, $442,221, and its Sewer Department funding, $341,420, likewise bring no cost impact on the tax rate to residents.

The town’s Ransomville Light appropriation is $9,000 of which 20 cents per thousand of assessed would come from the tax rate. Ransomville Volunteer Fire Company has been appropriated $105,353 for ‘05-- bringing a tax rate increase, one of the few found, of 98 cents per thousand assessed from last year’s 87 cents per thousand. And Youngstown Volunteer Fire Company was appropriated $115,320 for ‘05, with 78 cents per thousand coming from the tax rate.

Porter Lateral funds, described by Wiepert as basically long-term financing on sewer projects, amounted to $8,675 with no tax increase, while the Lakeshore Sewer Improvement Area Phases I, II and III totaled $50,185.

Remaining appropriations in Special Districts included: Town of Porter Lighting, $9,000 and Lakeshore Sewer, $46,022.

Salary Increases

It was also reported the plan brings a three percent increase in salaries for town officers, along with full health care coverage provided. Supervisor Wiepert’s salary will rise to $26,663 from last year’s $25,586; Town Clerk MacArthur’s will be $32,044, up from last year’s $31,111; and Superintendent of Highway Scott Hillman’s salary will increase to $29,960, up from last year’s $29,097.

The four council members -- Jeff Baker, Tom Baia, Lawrence White and Bill Choboy -- will receive $6,695 each, up from last year’s $6,500; Town Justice Walter Holmes (who is up for re-election Nov. 2) and Justice David Truesdale will each receive $14,163, up from this year’s $13,750. And Tax Collector Sally Hogan will receive $4,628 under the ‘05 budget (last year’s figure was unavailable).

Still more elements of the $4.5 million spending plan for ‘05 include $122,890 (or $61,445 apiece) appropriated for the William J. McLaughlin Free Library in Ransomville and the Youngstown Free Library. The town is gearing roughly $40,000 in capitol improvement monies to address the crumbling floors at Porter Town Hall and parking lot paving. And funding was included (not itemized that night) for Old Fort Niagara, town youth and senior programs, money for the village of Youngstown; refuse pick-ups and the potential hiring of a grant writer, among other items

“It’s a good plan,” commented Wiepert who said the town will be further reviewing the budget numbers in coming weeks. A final plan must be official adopted by the town by Nov. 20, and the budget becomes effective for the town’s Fiscal Year 2005 which begins Jan. 1.

Town Board News

In other Porter news and notes gleaned from this month’s earlier Town Board session:

• MacArthur offered his Town Clerk’s report for September, which revealed $22,878.85 in water receipts; $1,405.90 in sewer receipts; $802.99 collected in licenses and fees, and 36 SPCA animal contacts.

• Wiepert reported that August 2004 sales taxes amounted to $70,211.78 -- up $2,319 from a year earlier; and September 2004 sales taxes of $75,957.42 -- down $19,000 from September ‘03 totals.

• Supervisor’s assistant Norm Ault requested and was approved for a $500 increase in funding for contractual service items related to the town’s Justices (covering legal book purchases) for the balance of this year.

• Hillman reported that the final town brush pickups will occur on Monday, Nov. 1. The town acquired 650 tons of road salt for the upcoming winter and the Highway Department is now preparing its vehicles for snow plowing, salting, etc.

• Town Building and Sanitation Inspector Bill Smith reported that his office processed September building permits with a total value of $966,278, along with $735 in permit fees collected and two occupancy permits issued.

Smith announced that the town’s clean-up of properties continues, with progress being made on the removal of junk vehicles throughout Porter. And he reported that arrangements are now being made to demolish two private properties which were the earlier focus of complaints and board discussion. One on Porter-Center Road will be demolished by the current owner, while the other on Lake Road will be torn down by the perspective buyer.

• The town reported that Halloween trick or treating will be observed in Porter and the village of Youngstown on Sunday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 7 p.m..

• The town Planning Board will meet Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m., and the Town Board will hold its next regular meeting Monday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.. Both meetings will be held at Town Hall.