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Cortlandt Unveils Proposed 2013 Town Budget

CORTLANDT, N.Y. – Cortlandt Supervisor Linda Puglisi announced her proposed 2013 budget for the town Friday at a press conference at Town Hall.

Cortlandt Supervisor Linda Puglisi and Comptroller Glenn Cestaro at Friday's press conference on the proposed 2013 town budget.

Cortlandt Supervisor Linda Puglisi and Comptroller Glenn Cestaro at Friday's press conference on the proposed 2013 town budget.

Photo Credit: Art Cusano
A tax chart for Cortlandt.

A tax chart for Cortlandt.

Photo Credit: Art Cusano
A tax chart for Buchanan and Croton.

A tax chart for Buchanan and Croton.

Photo Credit: Art Cusano
A slide details cost-saving measures undertaken by the Town of Cortlandt in recent years.

A slide details cost-saving measures undertaken by the Town of Cortlandt in recent years.

Photo Credit: Art Cusano

The $36.98 million budget carries a 1.7 percent tax levy increase, below the state's 2 percent tax cap, Puglisi said.

"We've been under that tax cap for 22 years," Puglisi said. "We're the original tax cappers."

For residents of the town outside the Villages of Croton and Buchanan, if they are in the water district, the tax rate would be $223.56 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The tax on a home assessed at the average of $7,500 would be $1,676.70, up 2 percent. If they are not in the water district, the tax rate would be $203.54 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, and the tax would be $1,526.55.

In Buchanan the tax rate would be $35.10 per $1,000. A homeowner assessed at the village average of $5,000 would pay $176, up 2.8 percent.

In Croton, the tax rate would be $28.22 per $1,000. A homeowner assessed at the village average of $7,500 would pay $212, up 3.5 percent.

Croton and Buchanan residents pay town taxes in addition to village taxes due to town services they receive.

The proposed spending increase this year is 1.4 percent, driven by increased fuel, state pension and health benefit costs, said Comptroller Glen Cestaro.

The town would use $1.4  million of its fund balance to keep the tax increase low. That would leave the town with $5.6 million in reserves.

A budget must be adopted by the Town Board by Dec. 20. The board will hold public hearings in the coming weeks before voting on the budget.

The complete budget will be posted on the town's website. Friday's presentation will be available on the website and will air on the town's cable access channel at a later date.

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