County passes 2002 budget
By Donna Comella

Three people spoke at last night's public hearing for the county's $106 million budget for next year.

A controversy had erupted late last month, when the County Board of Supervisors resurrected a plan that would stop the practice of giving about $5.4 million in sales tax revenue to the county's school districts. Supervisors and area school superintendents have battled over the money for several years, and school officials once again waged a successful lobbying campaign to keep the funding in place.

Prior to opening the floor to public comment, Chairman Marv Decker told those present that supervisors had already decided to continue to share county sales tax dollars with area schools.

Lyons School Superintendent Tim Morrell stood to express appreciation to the board, and its Finance Committee, for the decision. Morrell, who also chairs the County School Superintendent Association, said the decision was 'sound judgment' and 'in the best interest' of the county's taxpayers. He also urged 'continued dialog' between the superintendents and the supervisors.

Laurie Williams of Newark spoke in support of the sales tax going to schools, and Clyde businessman Paul Montemorano suggested annual 'face-to-face' meetings that would address such issues. He told supervisors to view schools as 'valuable infrastructure' and that supervisors, superintendents, business people, and other officials 'must find a solution as a group.'

The 2002 budget was approved with only one of the town's 15 supervisors voting 'no.' The lone opposing vote was cast by Palmyra Supervisor Dave Lyon.

In a cost comparison to last year's budget, the gross budget is up 1.4 percent from 2001. The comparison, prepared by Budget Officer and County Administrator Dan Kane, shows the average tax rate will be about $7.94 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, the same as last year. The actual tax rate is different in each town, and depends on state equalization rates.

A complete budget summary is available online.

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