Homer, NY, Town Hall (Billy Hathorn/Creative Commons)
HOMER, N.Y. – Homeowners in the village of Homer will see a slim tax increase under a newly proposed budget by Mayor Hal McCabe.
The proposed $1.34 million budget for the fiscal year 2019 would increase taxes by .05 percent, which covers cost of living increases for village employees, McCabe said.
A planned increase in water and sewer rates has been avoided due to the discovery and repair of several "large billing errors," some of which date back a decade or more, McCabe added.
The budget includes $220,000 for two garbage trucks for the Village, one of which will be used as a backup. McCabe says the village is exploring the idea of bringing trash and recycling collection back under the umbrella of village government. The vehicles need to be purchased in order to begin service in 2020, when the village's contract with Syracuse Haulers is set to expire.
Trash and recycling services will still be open for bid later in the year to allow for a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis before any decisions are made, McCabe said. Current analysis shows a potential savings to the village upwards of $60,000 annually, which would represent a 5 percent tax reduction, he said.
A public hearing is planned at the Homer Village Board of Trustees next meeting on Wed., Jan. 9, at 6 p.m. at Homer Town Hall, 31 N. Main St., Homer.
Here's a breakdown of the proposed budget.
