AMHERST, N.Y. — It appears residents of the Town of Amherst are facing a significant tax hike in the coming year, which could raise the town tax for the average homeowner there by just under $300.
After holding the line on increases in recent years, mostly due to having Covid relief funds from the federal government, Supervisor Brian Kulpa's proposed budget for the coming year calls for levying an additional $10 million in property taxes. is more than triple what the state imposed property tax cap allows unless the town board votes to override it, which it did in a special meeting a week ago.
The vote was 4-1, with the only no vote to overriding the cap coming from Deputy Town Supervisor Deborah Bruch Bucki, who told Channel 2 News that she not only felt the amount of the tax increase was large for struggling families, but also that she sought to preserve her record of never having voted yes to exceeding the property tax cap.
Many factors afoot
"It's more complicated than a headline," Kulpa wrote in a statement to 2 On Your Side.
Beyond the usual increases for employee salaries and benefits, there are several big projects afoot this year for Erie County's largest town with a population of 130,000 residents.
The town has embarked on the conversion of more than 9,000 street lights, which it had to first purchase from National Grid, to LED's at a cost of $33 million.
Work is also set to begin next year, on transforming the former Westwood Country Club, purchased by the town for $7.5 million, into a new town park.
And, if it can put a lengthy eminent domain court battle in the rear view mirror, the town plans to move forward with plans to transform the Boulevard Mall into a mix of residences and community space.
These projects also also would require borrowing, which with today's high interest rates makes that more expensive, adding to the bottom line.
"We also have to stop borrowing for items that are recurring expenses, such as purchasing police vehicles and highway vehicles. We could get away with it when the fed held interest rates at zero, now that we are facing higher interest rates, it will hurt us long term, but that means we have to bite a bullet to move a million plus into the budget this year.`
More transparency sought
Unless additional amendments are offered by Monday the budget as proposed will be adopted.
One amendment thus far was made by board member Shawn Lavin, and gained the approval of fellow board members.
It requires the Supervisor to provide an annual report with projections on revenue and spending, along with a comprehensive Budget Monitoring report four times per year.
"It is disturbing that our town government is facing financial stress at a time when our economy is strong," said Lavin, who described his amendment as one which "allows the town board and the general public to better monitor the finances of our town government."
Lavin did vote in favor of the motion to override the tax cap, however, saying, "While I am unhappy about the proposal to exceed the tax cap in the 2024 town budget, it would be dangerous to oppose the measures needed to maintain services at the level our community depends upon."