|
Published: November 09, 2006 08:51 pm
NIAGARA COUNTY: Lawmakers defend tax status
Niagara’s ranking among other Western New York counties cited
By Jill Terreri
Niagara Gazette
Members of the Niagara County Legislature put forth rankings this week that put the tax burden on its constituents in a more favorable light.
In a response to a study by the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan tax research organization based in Washington, D.C., Legislator Richard Updegrove, R-Lockport, noted that compared to other Western New York counties, Niagara County’s tax burden isn’t so great.
Using data from county budgets for 2006 from across the state, Niagara County ranks fifth out of 10 counties in Western New York in terms of the county tax rate per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
In Niagara County, homeowners pay $8.97 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, compared with $4.96 in Erie County, which came in on the lowest end of the 10-county scale.
If counties are measured by how many employees they have relative to their general populations, Erie again comes in first in Western New York, while Niagara comes in third.
Erie County employs 43 people per 10,000 county residents, Monroe County employs 67 people and Niagara County employs 75.
A study released in October by the Tax Foundation found that in counties across the country that are home to over 65,000 people, Niagara County residents pay the most in property taxes when they are calculated as a percentage of their home’s value.
Property taxes include all taxes homeowners pay on their property, including city or town, school and county taxes.
Updegrove noted that county taxes account for 21 percent of the total property tax burden, compared to 55 percent for school taxes and 16 percent from towns and cities.
He also noted that employee salaries and benefits comprise 40 percent of county spending.
Legislator Danny Sklarski, D-Town of Niagara, complained about mandates.
He noted that the state’s fee for one of its social services programs increased by $106 per child, per day, which the county is responsible for paying. The fee begins in 2007 but the change is retroactive to 2006.
“This is a state-mandated item that we have no control over,” Sklarski said. “We have to pay this. “It’s not ending people. ... You need to know what we’re up against here.”
Updegrove urged county residents to form a task force to look at the county budget and suggest cuts. He asked residents to call him at 434-2140 if they are interested.
|
|
|
|
 |
Insulation Installer
Insulation Installers. Exp. preferred but will train the right candidates. Start $8-$10/hr. Earn $15. in less than 30 da...>MORE
FLOOR ASSISTANT
Floor asst. needed for approx. 30-35 hrs/wk in a podiatry office, no exp. nec., will train, call between 12-2:30 pm for ...>MORE
Instructors
Join Our Team! Would you like to work on a top performing team who is ranked 17th in the nation and have the opport...>MORE
Driver
Drivers CDLA. Must be able to go to Canada Good pay, great benefits. Call 278-2000 Ext. 106...>MORE
Auditor/Accountant
CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS EXAM DATE: 1/9/10 FILING PERIOD: 11/9/09 -11/25/09 Applicants for both exams mu...>MORE
Service greeter
Service greeter wanted, PT entry level. Looking for someone with strong customer service skills to work in our fast grow...>MORE
Cook Manager
COOK /Manager full time exp. req. Call for appt. 297-2500 ask for general manager. ...>MORE
Assistant Director
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Alumni Relations (ft) sought by the Alumni Relations Department of Niagara University, a private...>MORE
Nurse Practitioner
NURSE Practitioner, PT including one evening, resume 533 Meadow Dr, Suite 2, N. Tona, NY 14120 or fax 693-4807...>MORE
Customer Service
Customer Service CARPET CLEANING $400-$600/week Our customers have cleaning fever. Openings for men & wom...>MORE
See all ads |
Ford Windstar 1998
FORD 1998 Windstar $1000 or best offer. 298-5220...>MORE
1991 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1991 Caravan, exc body, runs great, full power, needs TLC. $1200 or BO. Call 754-4608....>MORE
1995 Plymouth Neon
Plymouth ‘95 Neon, 4 cyl, auto, 4 dr, exc in & out, 1 owner, only 56k orig. mi, no rust. $2195. 523-7102 ...>MORE
Chevy 2007 Impala LT
CHEVY 2007 Impala LT 25,800 mi, ext. warranty Exc. Cond, $16,500 297-2199...>MORE
Mazda 1995 Millenia
Mazda 1995 Millenia loaded, leather, only 26k mi. exc. cond. $2995. Best Offer 531-3548 or 297-1526...>MORE
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria 4 dr, loaded, new tires must see & drive $3500. red. 860-2854...>MORE
1996 Mazda L3000
MAZDA L3000 pick-up 1996, 6 cyl, runs good, new tires & battery, just inspect., $1500. 284-7529....>MORE
2000 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 2000 Caravan, V6, power everything, excellent body, runs great, $2195. Call 754-4608....>MORE
Buick 2005 LeSabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE
Chevy 2003 Impala
CHEVY 2003 Impala 25,600 miles, loaded Exc. Cond. $10,000/bo 297-2199...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|