ONONDAGA COUNTY -- Communities in Onondaga County have now had a day to digest a new plan cutting funding to local governments and school districts. The effects on each individual town, village and school district are different.
The superintendent of Skaneateles schools said for once he's getting unexpected money in the budget. Philip D'Angelo said, "I was extremely surprised, pleasantly surprised." Superintendent D'Angelo said schools expected to get completely left out of the county's tax sharing agreement. But, in the last minute negotiations, schools scored some money in the 10 year agreement.
In the Village of Marcellus, they will only be getting about half the money they used to from the county. While the mayor says its better than nothing, he says the village needs to make up that revenue somewhere. Mayor John Curtin said, "If the people are willing to accept a tax increase, which, if they want the services that the villages provides, it's going to have to be." Curtin admits it's hard to attract new businesses and residents when taxes keep going up. The mayor says the village only has seven full time employees and he's adamant about keeping the village police force but the people will have to pay. Curtin said, "Some people think we don't need a police force but just cut it out and see how things will change."
In the Town of Camillus, they used the money from the county to keep property taxes lower. Now, the supervisor there is worried eventually her residents will be paying more. Supervisor Mary Ann Coogan said, "Today, I'm angry but we have to get over it. There are many other issues out there. I just wish they'd done things a little differently and a little more transparently where the people had a voice and they really didn't."
While not everyone is happy, they all said the 10 year agreement will help them plan and budget for the future.
