Vestal, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Vestal Town Supervisor John Schaffer says he is unhappy with his 2013 budget proposal and will work up to the deadline to reduce his originally proposed tax increases.
Last Friday, the Vestal town board submitted a budget that called for a 9.3 percent property tax increase as they face a deficit of $560,000.
If approved, it would mean a $55 increase per year per $150,000 in property value.
Schaffer said it is unfair to his residents, especially following last year's flood.
He also said he wishes Broome County Executive Debbie Preston had opted for the 50/50 sales tax split in her budget because it would have meant an additional $610,000 coming into the town.
"County Executive Preston figures she will spread it out every three to four years," said Schaffer. "Unacceptable to us at the town and to a lot of other municipalities. We need that money and we need it now. We are getting a very small piece of the pie."
The budget is due Nov. 20. Schaffer said he has scheduled meetings with his town board every Monday until then to work to lower the rate.
His goal is to bring the increase down to 2 percent, and he is asking his board to think creatively to prevent layoffs and cuts.
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