FREWSBURG — In an effort to reduce the proposed tax increase in the 2021 budget, the Carroll Town Board will be holding a special budget meeting.

On Nov. 11, the board held its regular meeting with the vote on the tentative budget on the agenda. However, after hearing from town residents, including John Davis, who is Carroll’s representative on the Chautauqua County Legislature, the board tabled the vote on the proposed budget to hold another budget work session to try and reduce the proposed tax increase.

During the meeting, Davis said the proposed tax increase currently in the 2021 budget is 26 cents per $1,000 assessed property value. He said because of the COVID-19 pandemic, town residents have lost their jobs and money, and need any additional help they can receive to reduce costs.

“I encourage the board to continue to look at whatever areas of the budget they can … see what areas can be cut or lowered for the citizens of the town,” Davis said.

Russell Payne, Carroll town supervisor, said the town is in need of creating a new position to assist the zoning and code enforcement officer. He said creating this new position is the main reason for the proposed tax increase.

“There are some issues in the town of Carroll that need immediate attention,” he said.

Payne told The Post-Journal following the meeting that several residents have asked for properties in the town to be brought to compliance with zoning and code enforcement laws.

“The citizens have come up to us and said, ‘We need to do more,”‘ Payne said. “So we’re looking to hire an additional code officer to work as an assistant with our chief code officer, Al Gustafson.”

The special budget meeting will be held at Frewsburg Volunteer Fire Department Station No. 2 start at 6 p.m. today, with a public hearing at 8 p.m., which could be followed by a possible vote on the proposed budget. Payne said state officials would like the town to have an approved 2021 budget by Nov. 20.