The Guilderland Central School District announced that it will be able to set its tax rate below its initial projections at the May budget vote, although they will be generating the same revenue regardless of what the rate is.
This is the third year in a row the district was able to set the tax rate below its initial projection, according to a written statement from the school board.
In a time of rising costs, we are especially pleased to be able to set a tax rate increase of less than 1.2 percent for the vast majority of district residents, said Assistant Superintendent for Business Neil Sanders.
Rising property value assessments in Guilderland were the primary reason the district was able to lower the final tax rate.
The revenue the district generates depends on the tax rate, and how much each property is assessed at. The more a property is assessed at, the more an individual will pay in property tax.
During the preparation for the 2008-2009 budget, the district expected an increase in assessments in Guilderland of close to $10 million. In mid-August, when tax rates were completed, it was determined that the increase in assessments during last year was actually more than $17 million, according to information provided by the board.
Sanders said at the time the budget was discussed, the assessor’s office did not have the final assessment numbers available.
Sanders explained, though, that the school district is not going to collect any more or less money as a result of the decreased tax rate. The district will generate the $56 million it needs to operate regardless of what the increase in assessment value is, or the tax rate.
He said the reason for the increased assessment value is primarily due to the additional properties in the town being assessed. This broadens the tax base, but ultimately does not lower individuals’ taxes.
`Guilderland residents, who comprise approximately 93 percent of the district’s tax base, will pay $19.3762 per $1,000 of assessed value`an increase of 22 cents, or 1.16 percent, over the current year’s school taxes. The district previously estimated a tax rate increase of 1.43 percent,` according to the statement.
In comparison, `the Town of Bethlehem will pay $16.6868 per $1,000 assessed value; residents in the Town of New Scotland will pay $16.4114 per $1,000 assessed value; and residents in the Town of Knox will pay $29.1070 per $1,000 assessed value ,` according to information provided by the school district.
Councilmen Mark Grimm, who sits on the town board, said the board of education appears to be cutting taxes but are only tooting their own horn.
`I think they like a little wiggle room. The reason they underestimate the assessment is so they can say, ‘Look, we’re lowering the tax rate,’` Grimm said.
Grimm also took issue with the heightened spending of the school district, and New York State United Teachers push for a removal of the tax cap set now at 4 percent.
Grimm said they waste too much revenue on teachers who get paid more simply because of their experience and not their ability.
He said they get cost-of-living raises and 24 additional raises based on how long they teach and their degrees.
`Don’t get me wrong, teachers are a valuable and important, and good teachers are worth it, but the bottom line is how well you teach.`
No one in the assessor’s office was available to comment, as Carol Wysomski, the town’s assessor, has retired.
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