Village Board of Herkimer Votes to Override Tax Cap
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: December 29, 2011
The Village of Herkimer Mayor, Mark Ainsworth says this override doesn't necessary mean taxes will go up.
He says it was more of a safety measure in case the village needs to go over the 2% without getting in trouble by the state.
But many residents were resistant to the override.
Herkimer resident, Bruce Ward says he wanted the board to take the bold step and not override the 2% tax cap at Thursday night's public hearing.
But despite his wishes, the board voted for the override.
"To override it is defeating the purpose of the cap, and you're in a village where people are already losing their houses because they can't pay taxes," said Ward.
Village Mayor, Mark Ainsworth says he understands no one wants to see their taxes go up, but he and the board had to take this precaution in case they would ever need to go about the 2% cap.
"We take their concerns to heart as we have with every resident trying to balance our costs and services that we provide," said Ainsworth.
Bruce Ward says that the New York State property tax is high enough, and he is tired of the continued cycle he's been seeing.
Mayor Ainsworth says it may be easy to come once a year to a meeting to voice concerns, but there are meetings every month where the board is willing to listen.
"Come to meetings, tell me what services you want, or services you don't want. Sit down with us and help us make decisions," said Ainsworth.
He says it was more of a safety measure in case the village needs to go over the 2% without getting in trouble by the state.
But many residents were resistant to the override.
Herkimer resident, Bruce Ward says he wanted the board to take the bold step and not override the 2% tax cap at Thursday night's public hearing.
But despite his wishes, the board voted for the override.
"To override it is defeating the purpose of the cap, and you're in a village where people are already losing their houses because they can't pay taxes," said Ward.
Village Mayor, Mark Ainsworth says he understands no one wants to see their taxes go up, but he and the board had to take this precaution in case they would ever need to go about the 2% cap.
"We take their concerns to heart as we have with every resident trying to balance our costs and services that we provide," said Ainsworth.
Bruce Ward says that the New York State property tax is high enough, and he is tired of the continued cycle he's been seeing.
Mayor Ainsworth says it may be easy to come once a year to a meeting to voice concerns, but there are meetings every month where the board is willing to listen.
"Come to meetings, tell me what services you want, or services you don't want. Sit down with us and help us make decisions," said Ainsworth.
