Town of Niagara budget approved

By Timothy Chipp

Town of Niagara officials finalized and approved the town’s spending and revenue plans Tuesday, according to Supervisor Sylvia Virtuoso.

Officials adopted an overall $11.4 million plan, which includes roughly $5.3 million in townwide spending.

There will be no townwide tax for another year, as well. Special districts within the town, including the highway department, lighting and sewer districts, do have taxation for funding, with rates ranging from $2.93 per $1,000 valuation to $0.20 per $1,000 valuation.

“We’re within the state’s 2% tax cap,” Virtuoso said, adding that the possibility of a townwide tax manifesting in the future looks more and more likely as revenue streams decrease and spending rises under new labor contracts and other soaring costs.

This budget plan was not only the first budget Virtuoso completed as supervisor, following her unopposed election to the seat last year, but two new councilmen got their feet wet in one of the board’s primary functions. Johnny Parks and Michael Lee, who joined the board Jan. 1, took part in budget ratification.

“I just listened and learned,” Parks said leading up to the vote. “I (took in) what everyone had to offer.”

Parks said he has helped build budgets before, in his full-time position working for the Goodyear plant in Niagara Falls.

Regarding the town’s budget, Parks and Lee were only involved at the end of the process. They worked through the plans with fine-toothed combs to try and secure a strong financial year ahead starting in January.

The heavy lifting was Virtuoso’s, Parks said. And those who work under her.

And they did a great job, he said.

“I believe we did what’s best for the town,” he said. “(Virtuoso) did great, working with her department heads. They kept everything within reason.”

Town officials are scheduled to next meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Town Hall, 7105 Lockport Road. A work session is also scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, also at Town Hall.