The town of Milo in Yates County has unveiled its 2025 preliminary budget, proposing a 2.9% increase in the tax levy, aimed at covering rising operational costs and maintaining services. The budget highlights an increase from $2.01 million in 2024 to approximately $2.07 million for the upcoming year.
Under the proposed budget, residents can expect slight adjustments in tax rates, particularly for fire districts and water services. The Penn Yan Fire District will see a small rise in its levy, while general water services also reflect modest rate changes. Despite these adjustments, the budget remains under the state-mandated tax cap, providing an additional buffer of $485, compared to $214 last year.
The budget is currently pending public review before its final adoption. Town officials have underscored the need for the increase to address rising operational expenditures while ensuring the continuation of essential town services. A public hearing is slated for Oct. 30.
Key figures
The overall budget projection shows a rise in general appropriations across several departments. A notable change is the increase in appropriations for the town’s highway fund, which will see significant growth to cover anticipated road maintenance and improvement projects. Additionally, the town plans to allocate more resources for fire protection services in the Himrod and Penn Yan districts.
Water services, a key component of the town’s infrastructure, will receive attention with increased funding allocated to maintenance, equipment, and capital outlays for the various water districts. Despite an increase in funding for water district projects, water rates for many residents are expected to remain stable with only minor fluctuations.
Notable allocations
The preliminary budget outlines significant allocations in several areas:
- Highway Department: Approximately $497,119 is proposed for townwide highway services, an increase from the $448,292 allotted in 2024. This includes funding for machinery, snow removal, and road improvements.
- Fire Protection: Both the Penn Yan and Himrod fire districts will receive increased funding, with a total of $270,886 set aside for fire services. This represents a slight rise from the previous year’s total of $266,250.
- Water Districts: The budget allocates over $322,388 across the town’s water districts, reflecting a commitment to maintaining and upgrading the town’s water infrastructure.
The town has also committed funds to key areas such as general government support, insurance costs, and public safety. These expenses are crucial for maintaining day-to-day operations and ensuring that residents continue to receive essential services.
Impact on residents
For homeowners with properties valued at $100,000, the tax bill for townwide services will see minor adjustments. For example, the average tax for those outside the village is expected to decrease slightly, while fire protection services will see a modest increase.
Upcoming public hearing scheduled for Oct. 30
Ahead of the town’s final budget adoption, the Milo Town Board will host a public hearing on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at the town hall. Residents will have the opportunity to discuss the 2025 preliminary budget, as well as specific contracts for fire protection services and the 2024 Special District Assessment Roll.
The agenda includes separate hearings for the 2025 fire contracts with both the Himrod and Penn Yan Fire Districts, providing transparency on the services and their associated costs. These hearings will be followed by a review of the full 2025 budget.
After the hearings, the board is expected to take immediate action, with votes scheduled to adopt the assessment roll and authorize fire contracts. The final item on the agenda is the adoption of the 2025 budget, which could be finalized that evening.
Residents are encouraged to attend and provide feedback on how these decisions will impact local services and taxes.
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