#LetterToTheEditor #YourVoice #SpotlightNews
In 2018, the Albany County Legislature passed a budget that lowered the tax rate by 4.3 percent. By contrast, the Colonie Town Board passed a budget with a tax increase of over 5 percent, busting through the tax cap.
Only one Town Board member, Jennifer Whalen, challenged Supervisor Paula Mahan’s decision and voted not to exceed the tax cap. For this she deserves a great deal of credit.
With a strong economy, an increase in sales tax revenue, and Colonie being the economic engine of the county, how could this be?
Albany County has been able to keep spending under control while building reserves, and has not imposed a tax increase in over six years.
Conversely, the Town of Colonie has increased taxes every year for five-plus years and has raised them almost 8 percent in the last three years alone. Colonie continues to be on the state comptroller’s “Fiscally Stressed” list and has the unenviable distinction of being on this list since its inception.
Supervisor Mahan continues to blame the former administration for Colonie’s fiscal woes. As supervisor for 11 years, when does she take responsibility? Let’s not forget the one-time “deficit reduction tax.” This tax was ill conceived, used unwisely, and was characterized to mislead residents in believing it would fix everything. When that failed, Supervisor Mahan chose to sign an agreement to lease the operations of one of our most precious resources: the landfill. For a one time quick fix infusion of cash, she leveraged away revenues for many years in the future and prematurely shortened the life of our local asset.
I should also mention the crumbling conditions of our roads, but how can you miss that as you traverse around town?
Supervisor Mahan will be up for re-election this November. Do residents really want to continue down the failed path of fiscal irresponsibility, crumbling infrastructure and over-development? It’s time to clean house and once again make Colonie the envy of the Capital Region.
Frank A Mauriello
Minority leader
Albany County Legislator- 27th District (Colonie)
