Town of Niagara sets budget hearing

by Susan Mikula Campbell

The Town of Niagara's annual budget hearing will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29.

"The public will have the opportunity to talk about the budget and what they'd like to see in there and what they'd not like to see," said Deputy Supervisor Danny Sklarski, who has led his fellow councilmen in meetings to review the budget.

So far, the group has not made any significant changes to the 2014 tentative budget prepared by Supervisor Steve Richards. That $7.73 million budget includes a 5.6 percent tax decrease for residential property owners to $4.45 per $1,000 assessed value, plus a 3.5 percent tax reduction for business owners to $8.40 per $1,000 assessed value.

Sklarski said that although the budget will be on time, the board is not ready to adopt it yet. Board members may also want to make cuts or additions. The councilmen still need to meet with one more department head and Sklarski wants to schedule a meeting with Richards as a courtesy so he is apprised of any changes before the budget comes to a vote.

"I'm pleased with the progress we're making," Sklarski said. "We're focusing on where the town needs to go in 2014 and on into the future. It's a good team effort on all parts."