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December 5, 2009
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History lesson
Winter Sports
Alpine Homestead is one of the oldest homes in Minerva.
Students learn about the rich logging history of our region.
Check out all the previews for your local winter sports teams.
County votes ‘Yes’ on sales tax hike proposal County budget hearing set for Dec. 10
Gore Mountain Region defined as ‘Purely Adirondack’ in brand Brand workshops scheduled
By Thom Randall thom@denpubs.com
By Lindsay Yandon lindsay@denpubs.com
QUEENSBURY — After hearing that Warren County was in dire financial condition — with cash reserves considered the third worst in the state — county supervisors voted Monday to ask the state Legislature to allow them to raise the sales tax from 7 to 8 percent for a two-year period. The vote, with only six supervisors voting “No,” took place after about two hours of impassioned debate. Supervisors heard from county leaders and a financial advisor that bond rating officials were meeting this week, and the county’s credit rating was likely to be lowered due to the county’s depleted cash reserves. The vote did not include restrictions on how the extra sales tax revenue — anticipated to be up to $15 million per year — would be spent, but county leaders said after the vote that it would be first allocated to wiping out a looming 9.3 percent tax increase, then be applied to restoring the county’s fund balance. These cash reserves, they said, were spent in prior years to keep tax increases artificially low in the face of ballooning expenses. The 2010 county budget, totalling about $148 million, is subject to a public hearing 7 p.m. Thursday Dec. 10 in the Supreme Court chambers at the county Municipal Center. Supervisors said they’d entertain comments at the hearing on the proposed sales tax hike, as well as the county’s financial condition and pending budget. County leaders said that the lack of a financial cushion, combined with the 2010 budget gap of well more than $3 million, and a looming cash-flow shortfall, prompted them to vote for the sales tax increase, which many of them formerly opposed. Queensbury At-Large Supervisor William VanNess, who changed his mind this week and decided to vote for the tax hike, said that without a sales tax increase, county property taxes in Queensbury would soar 24 percent. "I will take the stone throwing," he said of potential outcry from his constituents. "I will stand up for what is right." Regardless of the wide margin in the vote, the sales tax hike is not a sure thing. The request must first go to the state Legislature for enabling legislation, then return for a second vote by county supervisors, as soon as late spring 2010. With four new supervisors joining the county board, the measure could be ultimately rejected. The sales tax hike could first be effective June 1, 2010 if the state Legislature acts on the request quickly, or it could be as late as Sept. 1, 2010, County Attorney Paul Dusek said. The request for the increase will include a provision that it will expire exactly two years after it takes effect unless it is renewed at that time by a vote of county board, he said. Prior to the vote, Glens Falls Supervisor Bill Kenny argued that the sales tax hike was not a mere one percent increase, that
See TAX HIKE, page 7
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NORTH CREEK — The Gore Mountain Region Chamber of Commerce presented the results of their branding project to local chamber members, officials and interested citizens Nov. 18 at the Copperfield Inn in North Creek. Since February of 2007, the Gore Mountain Region Chamber of Commerce has been immersed in a project to brand the Gore Mountain Region. With the support of bed tax monies, they commenced
the initial phase and hired the Glen Group of North Conway, NJ. The Glen Group is led by Nancy Clark — a former resident of Chestertown. “She really knows the area and the personality of the region, which is key,” said Ed Milner, chairman of the chamber ’s branding project. Conway presented the recommended branding including a new logo and other graphics, a tagline, and the “brand promise” for the region.
See BRAND, page 5
Rotary Club member Ernie Pollman recently paid a visit to Indian Lake Central School's third grade class and distributed a dictionary to every student as well as one for the classroom. Here, Lauren Johnson, Bryce Hutchins and Shane Dumond receive their dictionaries. One of the Rotary Club's missions is to promote literacy. School officials said they wished to thank Mr. Pollman for taking time out of his schedule to make such a kind donation to the students and the school. Photo courtesy of Indian Lake Central School
Johnsburg budget reveals lower taxes By Lindsay Yandon lindsay@denpubs.com JOHNSBURG — For the second consecutive year, Johnsburg taxes are down. Town taxes will be reduced by .01 percent. The total budget is $2,366,604 and is comprised of general, highway and library funds. The rate per $1,000 of assessed value is $111.757, which appears large when compared to other local budgets. This is because the town of Johnsburg uses an older budget system that does not assess property at full
value. “Our biggest concern is to protect the citizens’ ability to hold property within the town of Johnsburg,” said Supervisor Sterling Goodspeed. Highway funds held a major emphasis in this years budget for the purchase of new equipment and necessary updates. That portion is up 8.36 percent. Modifications were made to the town health insurance plan to move to a higher deductible plan. Individual deductibles are now $1,500 and family deductibles are
$3,000. The change allows for the town to use savings to pay deductibles and reap a net gain of $60,000. The town of Johnsburg also eliminated curbside recycling pickup. The effects of this decision resulted in the elimination of one employee and a budget reduction of $30,000. Goodspeed said holding the line on town budgets is becoming increasingly harder to do because of the current condition of county and state budgets. “Revenue is down all over making it very difficult to control taxes,” he said.