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Chautauqua Town Proposes Decrease In 2021 Budget

MAYVILLE — The town of Chautauqua is continuing its best to keeping taxes low, as least as far as town taxes.

During a special Chautauqua Town Board meeting, Supervisor Donald Emhardt presented the proposed 2021 budget to the rest of the town board. The proposed budget is $1.1 million, slightly less than 2020’s budget of $1,125,000, which is a 2.22% decrease. This amount does not include any special districts like water, sewer or fire protection.

Emhardt said not all special districts have been finalized because state law permits fire districts to file their budgets later than towns are required.

Emhardt did not have the exact tax rate available for the general fund, but said it would be “less than a dollar” per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

The proposed budget calls for 3% raises for all employees. Emhardt said in terms of special projects, “we’re putting in a salt dome right now and we’re continuing to work on our sewer extension to the north of Chautauqua Lake Estates along the lake.” The general won’t be used to fund the sewer extension. That would be paid for either with grants or by users in that special district.

When asked if COVID-19 has impacted the town’s 2021 budget, Emhardt said they have had to buy extra cleaning supplies and is prepared for the town to receive less revenue in sales tax.

He also said the town has been told to expect a 20% reduction in state funding, however, the town only received $17,900 for its general fund for 2020.

The town board set a public hearing for Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. for the public to comment on the budget.

That meeting will take place in the gym of the old Mayville High School, where there is additional room for social distancing.

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