Herkimer County Legislature passes $95.2 million budget
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: December 14, 2011
Herkimer County residents will be paying more in property taxes next year.
The County Legislature passed the $95.2 million budget 15-1.
The property tax increase is 3.5%
To break that down, it will cost $12 dollars more to a homeowner whose house is worth $75,000.
It may not sound like much, but one Schuyler resident isn't very happy.
Carolyn Goodhines has been a Herkimer County resident since 1995, and she attends the meetings of The Herkimer County Legislature because she wants to see a change.
But, she wasn't looking for a change in the form of property tax increase.
"I certainly don't agree with it. The struggle is in anxiety and anger just because it occurs," said Goodhines.
Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Patrick Russell had anticipated the budget, including the tax increase, to pass and says they are trying to plan for the future.
"With the 2% cap which is something we have to deal with, not just this year, but in the years to come, we're looking at how to best do that," said Russell.
However, District 2 County Legislator, Helen Rose doesn't see eye to eye with Russell and the other 2012 budget supporters.
"We didn't need a 3.5%. I don't think it's appropriate," said Rose.
Russell says the new budget is fair to the taxpayers.
Carolyn doesn't agree, but says she will continue to pay her taxes.
The County Legislature passed the $95.2 million budget 15-1.
The property tax increase is 3.5%
To break that down, it will cost $12 dollars more to a homeowner whose house is worth $75,000.
It may not sound like much, but one Schuyler resident isn't very happy.
Carolyn Goodhines has been a Herkimer County resident since 1995, and she attends the meetings of The Herkimer County Legislature because she wants to see a change.
But, she wasn't looking for a change in the form of property tax increase.
"I certainly don't agree with it. The struggle is in anxiety and anger just because it occurs," said Goodhines.
Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Patrick Russell had anticipated the budget, including the tax increase, to pass and says they are trying to plan for the future.
"With the 2% cap which is something we have to deal with, not just this year, but in the years to come, we're looking at how to best do that," said Russell.
However, District 2 County Legislator, Helen Rose doesn't see eye to eye with Russell and the other 2012 budget supporters.
"We didn't need a 3.5%. I don't think it's appropriate," said Rose.
Russell says the new budget is fair to the taxpayers.
Carolyn doesn't agree, but says she will continue to pay her taxes.
