Russell Gardens oks tax hike

Richard Jacques

The Russell Gardens Board of Trustees recently approved a $1.3 million budget for 2011 that includes $9,000 for pay increases $29,260 for state-mandated pensions, $90,000 for village upgrades and an 8.5 percent increase in property taxes.

“Unfortunately, the state gives us less and less and we have to make it up somewhere,” Russell Gardens Mayor Matthew S. Bloomfield said.

The board unanimously passed the budget at a regular meeting Jan. 6 at village hall.

Although the mayor blames the sluggish economy for the need to increase property taxes from $1,065,679 last year to $1,156,515 in 2011, he said his employees still deserve a pay raise but none have been approved to date. Village funds have been budgeted to allow for the expected increases to village employee salaries based on productivity of employees, said Bloomfield.

“Our guys are doing a lot more than the year before,” said Bloomfield. “We feel they are unique and special to our village.”

The village is required under state mandates to pay employees increased employee pension benefits including $18,260 for state retirement, $1,000 for social security and $10,000 for in hospital medical insurance, according to the mayor.

Bloomfield, who has served for two years and will run for re-election in March, said he hopes to have an even tax rate going forward.

“I think that residents should be able to plan financially,” he said.

Bloomfield said the $90,000 budgeted for village upgrades will be used to cover part of the $140,000 needed for two village street projects – one job to replace 30-inch diameter storm sewers on Tain Drive, the other to repair curbings on four village streets. The balance needed to cover the cost of the street projects will come from an expected $60,000 in village surpluses, according to the mayor.

In 2011, Russell Gardens will spend $8,000 for new computer equipment and will save $22,581 on its yearly garbage contract, according to budget numbers.

Property taxes account for the majority of revenue in Russell Gardens with the remainder coming from utility taxes, tax sales, building permits, fines and mortgage taxes.

The mayor and trustees of Russell Gardens are not paid by the village which employs four union workers and two non-union workers.

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