Wheatfield Town Board adopts 2005 budget

by
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, Nov. 18, 2004

by Ralph Schwarz

Residents in the town of Wheatfield will receive a $2.50 tax cut along with enhanced community programs as the Town Board unanimously adopted the budget for the 2005 fiscal year following a public hearing on Nov. 5.

“It is a good budget,” said Town Supervisor Timothy Demler after the board passed the budget. “We worked hard on it. It passed and is in place.”

Apart from seven minor changes, the adopted 2005 budget basically remains the same one Demler proposed in October. It also brings the ninth consecutive tax cut for Wheatfield residents.

Although the tax break appears more symbolic, Demler pointed out that it also reflects the town government’s hard work and early understanding of the ongoing economic recession that plagues Western New York, including Niagara County.

“I think, again we are proud to say that we are one of the few communities in New York state that actually held the line, if not cut them by a buck or two,” Demler said. “The taxes are going to go down again.”

Budget Highlights

The approved 2005 budget calls for expenditures of $9.66 million, about $260,000 more than in 2004. About $2.6 million of the 2005 expenditures will be covered by special district taxes for sewer, water, lighting, refuse, highway maintenance and fire protection. Although homeowners will see a $30 reduction on their sewer bills in 2005, fees for garbage and refuse collection will most likely go up by $27 due to increased contractual costs.

“We expect that when the fee comes in, the refuse and recycling costs will go up somewhat per home,” Demler said, adding that the town is currently seeking proposals from other refuse-collection companies, in addition to the town’s current service provider, BFI Waste Systems.

Other budget highlights include a 2.5-percent pay increase for all town employees, based on the cost of living allowance, and additional funding for the recreation department to enhance existing programs and to provide new programs. The drainage department will see a slight increase to accommodate the purchase of tiles and new equipment in order to further improve the drainage throughout the town, while the water and sewer departments will merge to reduce administrative costs.

On the revenue side, the 2005 budget will include a new highway and drainage fee totaling $500 for every new home built in Wheatfield. Demler said he expects the revenue coming from these fees paid by developers in the amount of $65,000.