Budget Message from Supervisor Smith
Perinton's budget will show a negligible increase for 2013, remaining the third-lowest town tax rate in the County. "Perinton provides basic services to our residents: snow plowing, road maintenance, weekly yard debris pickup, outstanding parks, excellent recreation offerings and courteous, timely service from our administrative staff at Town Hall", said Town Supervisor, Jim Smith. "Our services will continue to represent an outstanding value to our residents. The average homeowner pays us less than $400 per year in property taxes for all that they receive."
Under the 2013 budget, the tax rate for properties in the Village will increase five cents, from $1.53 to $1.58 and for those outside the Village, only eight cents, from $2.03 to $2.11.
This budget is primarily impacted by outside influences – increased billings and decreased payments from Albany. Costs for the State employee retirement system have gone up over $750,000 in the past four years while Albany has cut revenues to the Town by over $100,000 in the past three years. "Holding the line on taxes while Albany continues passing on unfunded mandates to localities has been a pretty tough job", Smith said. "Without these impacts from Albany, we would have been looking at a zero increase budget".
The 2013 budget complies with the New York State property tax cap legislation. Smith noted that Perinton's operation has always been a lean one. The Town's employee to population ratio is the lowest of its peers. That said, the 2013 budget eliminates a supervisory position and cuts back on equipment replacement. "We have always strived to do more with less and continually look for savings in our operations," Smith said.