Lawrence village budget hearing April 12

The public hearing for the 2018-19 budget is on the agenda for the Village of Lawrence five-member board meeting on Thursday, April 12 at 8 p.m., at Village Hall, 196 Central Ave., in Lawrence.

Lawrence is operating under a $5.773 million spending plan. The village’s fiscal year ends on May 31. The tentative budget for 2018-19 is $5.551 million, a nearly 4 percent reduction in spending from the 2017-18 fiscal plan.

Any tax increase will not exceed the legally mandated 2 percent New York state tax-cap, officials said. Earlier this year, the trustees voted to exceed the cap, if needed.

The village anticipates raising nearly $2.548 million in taxes; $2.444 million in revenue from fees and other charges.

If the preliminary budget is adopted, residents will pay a tax rate of $79.50 per $100 of assessed value, compared to the current $75 per $100 tax rate.

Village officials said that the tax rate had to be increased because of a decline in the amount of property taxes that are collected as the number of assessment grievances has grown and money is returned to homeowners. They maintain that through judicious fiscal management village services remain at a high level and continue to be improved..