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CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. Pleasantville Mayor Peter Scherer said he has every intention of approving a budget on Monday night that stays within the state-mandated 2 percent tax cap.
"A lots to be said about the pros and cons of the tax cap, but it certainly is our goal to accomplish that and I think we have," Scherer said.
Since the tentative 2012-13 budget was revealed April 9, Scherer said village trustees have combed through every line of the budget and have personally visited various government offices to better familiarize themselves the departments, he said.
"Weve been through that process and nothing dramatic has arisen out of it," Scherer said. "Lots of nipping and tucking at various lines, but I think the outline of the budget is essentially as we described it to you a couple of weeks ago."
In total, the village's tentative budget shows an appropriations increase to $13,286,379 from $13,271,017 and has a tax rate increase of 2.87 percent. According to Dwyer, the figures mean a $95 to $96 increase to the average assessed house in Pleasantville. The tax levy for 2012-13 increased from $9,183,440 to $9,444,930.
"Of the labyrinthian calculations the state provides to determine if that is under the 2 percent allowable increase in the tax levy, it indicates that it is," Scherer said.
While Scherer expects the 2012-13 budget to work within the cap, he said any future compliance might come at a detriment to the village and could significantly impact some of its departments.
"We have never intended to override the tax cap if could possibly avoid it," Scherer said. "Although we have said up front that we arent going to allow a tax cap to derail what we consider responsible long-term planning. And I think that would be at risk if we work through this in years to come."
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