|
Putnam budget freezes taxes By MICHAEL RISINIT Putnam County Executive Robert Bondi released a proposed $97.6 million budget yesterday that holds the line on property taxes and contains what he said is the "most sweeping environmental program in the county's history." His spending plan marks the 11th consecutive year in which county property taxes have either declined or held steady. Bondi's proposal also calls for the termination of his plan to pipe treated sewage into the Hudson River. "I think it's a budget that addresses all the most important needs of the county. Most importantly, this particular budget makes a bold new initiative into environmental protection," he said. Legislative Chairman Robert Pozzi, R-Mahopac, said he was looking forward to working with the county executive to deliver a budget that contained no property tax increase. The Legislature must adopt a budget by Oct. 15. The proposed tax rate varies from town to town because some communities updated their assessments, while others did not. Regardless of the partial reassessment, homeowners would pay the same amount of property taxes — $523 on a house with an average assessment of $186,000 — as they did this year, Bondi said. The tentative budget appears to spell the end of a program Bondi labored on for 18 months — piping sewage from 38 wastewater treatment plants away from the reservoirs in eastern Putnam County and into the river. His focus has shifted to acquiring key parcels of land throughout the county to protect Putnam's natural resources. "His intention for open space and the environment is a very proactive one," Pozzi said. With the help of town governments and the county Legislature, Bondi announced six land acquisitions the county would pursue to preserve Putnam's environment. Topping the list was the 246-acre Tilly Foster Farms on Route 312 in Southeast. Bondi said the county would purchase the former dairy farm for its asking price of $4.35 million. He said he expected to have a sale contract on his desk in about a week. To pay for his environmental program, Bondi said the county would use the money it received from New York City as part of the 1997 watershed agreement. The approximately $36 million was earmarked for his sewage diversion plan. Some of that money would also be used to address pollution runoff from roads, yards and failing septic systems. In addition, the county executive said New York City was willing to purchase conservation easements on much of the targeted land, which would leave the property on the tax rolls. "He has heard the call of the wild," said Legislator Sam Oliverio, D-Putnam Valley. "Truly, his appreciation of the green is becoming more apparent." Oliverio, though, didn't think Bondi was completely walking away from his diversion plan. He predicted that Bondi would make one last push for his program after the political races for Westchester County executive and Peekskill mayor were finished. There was strong opposition to the plan from politicians and residents in Cortlandt, Yorktown and Peekskill. The Putnam Valley legislator said he supported Bondi's budget, but thought the county executive should have proposed a modest 1 percent or 2 percent tax increase. Years of no increase, he said, would come back to haunt the county if the economic slowdown decreases Putnam's revenues while increasing program costs. "Eventually, and I believe this as emphatically as I'm standing here, the piper or the devil collects his due," Oliverio said. While his tentative 2002 budget carries no tax rate increase, Bondi increased spending about $7.5 million over last year. The proposed budget uses $7.85 million of the county's fund surplus, leaving an $8.1 million surplus or about 8 percent of its total budget. The county executive used $5.3 million of the surplus last year to maintain the tax rate. On the expenditure side, Bondi said Putnam's budget is being driven by significant increases in mandated state and federal programs. Medicaid and education costs for preschoolers with special needs account for 21.6 percent of the 2002 budget appropriations increase. The local share of Medicaid costs is expected to rise to $9.77 million next year, a 10 percent increase. Legislator Tony Hay, R-Southeast, said Bondi should have increased funding for the county's Visitors Bureau. The tourism agency requested $170,000 for next year, Hay said, and received $114,000 in the budget proposal — the same allocation as this year. "Their success story is renowned at this point," said Hay, pointing to successful events such as the Tour de Putnam bike race. |
