Supervisor concerned about county’s choice
McMahon: Use of fund balance may hurt CanjoBy AMANDA WHISTLE, The Leader-Herald
CANAJOHARIE - Town Supervisor Robert McMahon emphasized his concern Thursday that Montgomery County's decision to use half of the county's fund balance could be detrimental to the town's finances.
McMahon said at the Town Board meeting that he does not see how the $7.5 million the county withdrew to balance the budget and keep taxes at a minimum, can be replenished any time soon.
"No new business is moving here," McMahon said. "We're losing business."
McMahon cited high taxes as a major pitfall in New York's attempts to attract industry.
McMahon said he does not see the recession ending soon and pushed for the board to think about long-range financial planning. He warned that if people don't start buying things locally, the town may lose some of its designated sales-tax revenue from the county - a big chunk of the town's budget.
Sales tax in 2008 accounted for $374,397 of the town's budget. So far this year about $260,820 has been collected, with the fourth quarter to go.
"We've got one more quarter, but I don't think we're going to make it," said Amy Kretser, the town's bookkeeper.
McMahon warned that the county has the ability to change the sales-tax distribution among the towns, villages and city by a resolution, and fears that the town's allotment could be slashed in the future.
In an effort to cut costs now, the town had the value of its insured equipment reassessed by Hearn Agency.
"It's something we should do every year," McMahon said.
The agency found that the town could save $2,300 on their insurance premiums.
Additionally, the town may get some of the money it used for repairs of the town clerk's office building, town garage and village of Ames refunded. The grant for almost $25,000 from the state was secured through state Sen. Hugh T. Farley, R-Niskayuna, and is offered to most municipalities.
The Town Board also passed a resolution to send a message to the state Legislature that the ban on burning barrels is an unenforcable law.
"It's another law that can't be enforced," McMahon said, adding that for many residents, it's just not practical.
Amanda Whistle covers Montgomery County news. She can be reached at montco@leaderherald.com
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Jr88fanNY
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12-09-09 1:30 AM
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ConervativeandProud I totally agree with you on the drug testing for those on social services. They need the help of the taxpayers to live but always seem to have money for their drugs and booze. I would rather see the children of drug abusers put in foster care than to have them stay with their druggie parents who are getting a free ride from us. The children are only going to grow up to be user if they are seeing it done. You would be amazed at the number of people who get support from DSS and use drugs. I have to work to make my way in life and they should too. I also had to get drug tested for my job. The job that pays their way in life.
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ConervativeandProud
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12-07-09 8:14 AM
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Here is a better way: REMOVE THE SOCIAL SERVICES benefits to anyone that tests positive for drugs. Fund balance will be chock full in a matter of months. Mont Co and Fulton Co have become cesspools because of this plague and it is time to deal with it and stop being so politically correct. Reduce benefits for all freeloaders and remove benefits for druggies. Very simple solution to a simple problem. I have to be drug tested at work, why dont they?
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Discobulous
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12-06-09 9:41 PM
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It buys people one more year to move away.
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Hilltopper
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12-06-09 10:50 AM
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Here's a suggestion on how the $7.5 million can be replenished . Urge your fellow supervisors to do a county wide re-val. Then, all property owners, supervisors included, will be paying their fair share of taxes. What's that, you say you are paying your fair share ? According to Mt. Co. Real Property Tax's web site, based on your 35K assessment you are paying a whooping $750 combined in county and town taxes. And, if you own the 17 acres in the McMahon family trust, you pay only $200 a year in county and town taxes on that. If my math is correct, you are getting quite a deal. For we who are paying two and three times as much, we welcome any move to keep the taxes down, year by year.
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bubbasdad
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12-06-09 10:12 AM
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He may as well express his concerns to a brick wall
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