County adopts budget with slight tax increase
By Donna Comella

County Fiscal Officer Keith Kubasik raised resolutions after last night's Budget Public Hearing that will bring next year's property tax increase to just over .25 percent. According to Kubasik, the average property tax in Wayne County will go from $9.51 per $1000 of assessed value to $9.54.

Several people spoke during the Public Hearing, but few addressed the $136.7 million budget. Most who spoke expressed concern over the possibility of the County Supervisors privatizing the Recycling Program. The recommendation was one of several that came last July from the Fiscal Analysis Team (FAT). A few people who spoke at the Supervisors' October meeting, spoke again Tuesday against the proposal. Words like 'you lied' and 'collusion' and 'coerced' were bandied about.

Then FAT member Jim Hurley came to the podium. The former Sheriff and NYS Assemblyman touched on several points of what the FAT had considered problems that needed to be addressed. He pointed out that in the year 2005, the county saw a 27.9 % property tax increase, a sales tax hike from 7 to 8 %, and a new mortgage tax. According to Hurley, the county will spend over $14 million in fringe benefits, including $650/month for health insurance for the 885 full-time employees.

Hurley went on to criticize the county's payroll costs and asked, 'Has anyone ever bothered to research an hourly wage rate including benefits between County employees and the businesses in this County to see if they are comparable?'

He called the 2006 budget one that was based on 'increased revenues and not cost reduction.'

'It is kind of like going out and buying a new car today because you expect a pay raise tomorrow. May all your wishes come true.'

When Hurley was done, Steve Montemorano of Galen came to the front of the room for a second time and called Hurley 'pathetically political.' When he said he thought Hurley sounded like he was seeking to unseat current Arcadia Supervisor Joe DeSanto, you could hear Hurley retort from his seat, 'No. He's not.' Montemorano raised his arms and muttered something about 'excusing' himself as he walked hurriedly away from the podium.

After the hearing, Kubasik offered the resolutions that trimmed the tentative budget, and added $1 million in surplus funds to lower the proposed tax rate. According to Kubasik, the County started 2005 with $29 million in surplus funds, and because revenues had come in 'as projected or better' supervisors were neither depleting the fund or adding to it.

Huron Supervisor Chuck Frederick (who lost his re-election bid last month) said that he 'failed to see the long-term merit' in using surplus money to keep taxes down. But Finance Committee Chair Don Colvin (who narrowly retained his seat in Savannah) said that he saw no need in having to increase the $29 million in reserve.

Both Frederick and Bill Hammond voted against using the funds. Lyons Supervisor Jim Fabino had been present for the Public Hearing, but had excused himself before voting took place.

The budget was approved by a unanimous roll call (Fabino absent).

Kubasik thanked Department heads for doing 'one hell of a job.' Colvin, however, gave thanks to Kubasik. 'He's the one who led the charge.'

(Hurley's statement can be read in its entirety in Friday's print issue of the Courier-Gazette.)

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