DiNapoli Sets Property Tax Cap

Property tax levy growth for local governments with fiscal years closing Dec. 31 will be capped at 1.56% for 2021, according to state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The figure affects tax cap calculations for all counties, towns, fire districts, 44 cities and 11 villages. The tax cap, which first applied to local governments and school districts in 2012, limits annual tax levy increases to the lesser of the rate of inflation or 2% with certain exceptions, including a provision that allows municipalities to override it. The cap is one of many fiscal pressures facing local governments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 1.56% allowable levy growth factor for the 2021 fiscal year is the first time municipalities with a fiscal year ending on Dec. 31 had their levy growth capped at less than 2% in three years. Levy growth was capped at 2% for these municipalities due to inflation above 2% in recent years.

Reed Introduces Child Care Act

Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, has introduced the Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020, which will ensure child care providers across the country receive the federal support they need to continue servicing the working families of America. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, along with Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., recently led the introduction of the legislation in the Senate. The proposal was included in the Senate’s HEALS package. The Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020 supports economic recovery and helps parents go back to work by providing resources to help child care providers reopen and stay open; nine-month financial assistance for providers to open, welcome children safely, and ensure a robust child care sector is available for families; allows states to design state-specific plans to support child care centers, operators, providers in their state; and sends money to child care providers more quickly.

Hope Marshall Receives Award

Hope Marshall of Jamestown was among 36 Girl Scouts of Western New York to receive an Education Scholarship Fund award recently. Thirty-one Girl Scouts received $1,000 each from the Educational Scholarship Fund for completing their their Silver Award and/or Gold Award along with a combination of academic achievements as well as Girl Scout involvement and accomplishments. Marshall also was one of four Girl Scouts to receive a $500 Kim Welsh Memorial Scholarship. The Kim Welsh Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1998 through the generosity of Carol and Allan Welsh in memory of their daughter, Kimberley, to be awarded to Girl Scouts who completed their Girl Scout Gold Award. All 2020 Gold Award Girl Scouts from across Western New York received acknowledgment of their achievements at the virtual Gold Award Celebration on June 16.

Clean-Up Days Set In Panama

PANAMA — The village of Panama Clean-Up Days will be held Friday and Saturday, Aug. 28-29. Anything but combustibles, paints and electronics (no televisions) will be accepted at the Watts Flats Transfer Station.

Cassadaga Board To Meet

CASSADAGA — The Cassadaga Village Board will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12 in the village office. The public is welcome to attend.