Friday, November 23, 2007

Dear Hurley Residents, On Monday November 19, 2007 Supervisor Shultis made a motion to adopt the 2008 Town Budget which gave a modest 0.2% property tax decrease to Hurley Taxpayers. After a lengthy debate this motion was voted down by a 3-1 vote with John Gill, Barbara Zell and Janet Briggs voting against Supervisor Shultis' budget. John Gill then introduced a motion, seconded by Barbara Zell to adopt Supervisor Shultis' 2008 budget WITH the following changes which resulted in a 12.4% Property Tax Increase!: Voting FOR this 12.4% increase: John Gill, Barbara Zell & Janet Briggs COUNCILMAN GILL STATED DURING THE PUBLIC MEETING THAT HIS CHANGES WOULD RESULT IN A 2.2% TAX INCREASE. . SUPERVISOR SHULTIS WAS THE DISSENTING VOTE AGAINST THIS EGREGIOUS ERROR !!! Increase GENERAL FUND Budget Lines, 1. A1220.4 Supervisor Contractual from $12,000 to $42,000 = $30,000 increase 2. A5182.4 Town Street Lighting Contractual from $6400 to $6700 = $300 increase 3. A9060.8 Medical Insurance-Employee Benefit from $62,400 to $73,400 = $11,000 increase Increase HIGHWAY FUND Budget Lines, 1. DA5112.2 Permanent Improvements-Capital Outlay from $175,000 to $300,000 = $125,000 increase 2. DA5142.4 Snow Removal-Personal Services from $186,600 to $210,000 = $23,400 increase 3. DA5142.4 Snow Removal-Contractual from $130,000 to $150,000 = $20,000 increase 4. DA9950.9 Interfund Transfers-Capital Projects from $0 to $10,000 = $10,000 increase The General Fund increase, to be raised by property taxes, is up $41,300 or 6.7% from $628,800 to $671,100 The Highway Fund increase, to be raised by property taxes, is up $178,400 or 15.5% from 1,152,900 to $1,331,300 THIS 12.4% Property Tax INCREASE comes when Hurley will end 2007 with a surplus of OVER $500,000 ! ! ! IF THIS STIRS YOU TO ACTION PLEASE ATTEND MONDAY NOVEMBER 26TH TOWN BOARD MEETING AT TOWN HALL 7 PM AND SPEAK UP AND BE HEARD!!!

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