Holley will work to bring down tax increase in village

HOLLEY – Village Board members Tuesday evening approved the tentative budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year that would raise the tax rate to $16.00 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The 2015-2016 village tax rate was $14.81.

Village Clerk Sarah Trowbridge says village trustees have until April 30 to approve the final budget and they will be working to bring the tax rate down. She noted it cannot go higher than the $16.00 approved in the tentative budget.

Trowbridge said no residents spoke during a public hearing on the tentative budget which was held prior to the vote.

The total General Fund appropriation totals $1.166 million; the Water Fund appropriation is $409,271; Sewer Fund appropriation is $173,587; and the Electric Department appropriation is $2.16 million.

Included in the General Fund appropriation is the clerk’s budget of $217,595, the Police Department budget of $289,831, Department of Public Works at $349,791, and Hospitalization/Retirement/Bonds, $308,852.

Additionally, trustees adopted Local Law No. 2 of 2016 during their meeting, which will allow them to override the tax levy limit, if that becomes necessary. Trowbridge said the board typically adopts the override as a precautionary measure, even if an override of the tax cap is not needed.