BUSTI - Residents in the town of Busti will see in an increase in their property taxes in 2013.
On Monday, the Busti Town Board approved its 2013 spending plan, which included a 13 percent tax levy increase. The tax levy is the money raised through property taxes. The total tax levy will increase in 2013 by $126,072, to a total of $969,695.
The tax rate is also increasing. It will jump 28 cents per $1,000 assessed property value, to a total of $2.87. It is a 10 percent tax rate increase over the 2012 budget. The total budget increased by $114,148, or by 4 percent, to a total of $2,789,271.
There was no discussion by board members on the budget prior to it passing. Since the tentative budget was released in October, Jesse Robbins, Busti supervisor, has said a majority of the tax increase comes from the workman's compensation charge. The workman's compensation charge is $64,000 for the town in 2013. This is a charge that was not part of the town's budget last year, but it was part of the county's budget.
This year, county officials will be billing towns rather than doing a chargeback. The county eliminated chargebacks of workmen's compensation after a state audit showed $69,000 in tax cap overrides. Because chargebacks were not included as part of its tax levy calculations, the county went over its limit. As a result, towns now will be billed directly from the county, as is the current practice for villages and cities. In turn, towns will increase their tax levy to make up the difference. Robbins said a decrease in sales tax revenues has also added to the proposed tax levy increase.
In other town business, the board approved a three-year special use permit for Phineas and Sara DeMink, Southern Tier Brewing Company owners, for a band shelter. Earlier this month when a public hearing was held on the special use permit, the Town Board heard from several residents concerned about the music concerts held at the brewery. Residents who live near Southern Tier, which is located at 2072 Stoneman Circle, Lakewood, were concerned with how many outdoor music events will be held, what times they will be held and finished, how parking problems will be alleviated and how many concerts will be held on Sunday.
The Town Board discussed the concerns with DeMink, who doesn't want to upset neighbors near his business. The board then approved the permit with the guidelines concerts should be scheduled to end at 9 p.m. when held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; no more than three concerts a week should be held; and no more than eight fund raising concerts to be held June Through September on Sundays, with concerts scheduled to be concluded by 6 p.m. DeMink also said he will work with other industrial park business officials to alleviate potential parking problems during larger events.