Victor’s Town Board approved its 2027 budget Monday night, holding the town property tax rate and levy steady while reducing the fire protection levy by about $1.4 million through a new service arrangement.
The savings come as the Victor Fire Department prepares to serve both town fire protection districts, including the former Fishers Fire District area. Sewer and street lighting assessments will increase, meaning the budget’s effect on individual tax bills will vary by district.
The board also heard concerns about proposed shipping container regulations, discussed a possible property tax exemption for veterans with permanent and total disabilities, and reviewed rising costs for the Boughton Park dam project.
Fire protection changes drive budget savings
Finance Director Rich O’Donnell presented a $20.7 million preliminary spending plan, compared with $22.1 million for 2026. He attributed the decrease primarily to lower fire protection costs.
O’Donnell also recommended adding at least $100,000 for highway fuel expenses, funded from reserves so the adjustment would not increase the tax levy.
The town arranged coverage from Victor and Bushnell’s Basin after assuming responsibility for fire protection in the former Fishers district. Those contracts expire at the end of this year, and Victor will serve both fire protection districts under the new arrangement.
O’Donnell said the projected fire protection tax rate for the former Fishers area would fall from $2.65 to $1.70.
The town will retain ownership of the High Street and Fishers facilities and lease them to Victor. The town will remain responsible for building capital expenses, while Victor handles operating costs.
O’Donnell said he plans to bring an ambulance contract renewal to the board next month, seeking a five-year term matching the fire agreement.
No residents spoke during the budget hearing. The board subsequently approved the budget and the special assessment rolls without voiced opposition.
The water district levy will remain unchanged, O’Donnell said. Sewer assessments will rise, while street lighting districts face increases of roughly 5% to 10% because of electricity costs.
Reserves cushion costs, but major projects loom
O’Donnell identified employee benefits, insurance, energy and diesel fuel as continuing budget pressures. He said employee benefit costs increased about 14%, while the budget anticipates an insurance increase of approximately 10%.
Sales tax supplies about 37% of town revenue, he said, and collections have exceeded budget expectations. However, Victor faces a potential adjustment involving a company that overstated its 2025 sales tax.
The town initially anticipated an impact exceeding $1 million. More recent county information suggests the amount could be about half that, though the company has not yet refiled, O’Donnell said. He expects to account for the liability in 2026 rather than burden next year’s budget.
Board members requested a clearer explanation from Ontario County of how sales tax distributions are calculated. O’Donnell said he would seek additional information.
Longer-term costs include a highway building project and repairs to the Boughton Park dam.
O’Donnell said the town’s goal is to have reserves cover at least half the highway building cost. Surpluses and savings from other capital projects have helped build those reserves.
The dam repair estimate has climbed from roughly $2.5 million to between $5 million and $5.5 million. O’Donnell said the initial grant award was approximately $3.6 million, with a 90% federal funding share.
The town intends to seek additional Federal Emergency Management Agency funding after bids establish a firmer cost.
Officials also expect federal funding to cover 80% of the County Road 9 sewer force main project. O’Donnell said bids were expected to be released the following day, with a funding adjustment to come before the board once costs are known.
Container regulations remain under review
The board closed a public hearing on proposed portable storage container regulations but did not adopt the law.
Staff said the revised proposal would prohibit shipping containers as permanent accessory storage structures in residential districts, primarily residential planned development districts and the light industrial district.
A separate recommended change would allow certain accessory storage buildings in the light industrial district, where such accessory uses are currently restricted.
Business representative Melkon Babigian said his operation needs additional storage but cannot expand its existing building. He asked for time and a workable way to bring storage into compliance.
Babigian welcomed the possibility of allowing an accessory structure under defined standards, saying that could address much of his concern.
Town officials encouraged him to discuss the proposed changes with staff before further board consideration.
Veterans exemption and park improvements discussed
Board members expressed interest in examining a full property tax exemption for qualifying veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities.
The town assessor cautioned that eligibility cannot be determined solely from a veteran’s disability percentage. She said existing files do not always contain the permanent-and-total designation needed to identify potential recipients.
Members requested more information about veterans already receiving exemptions and discussed seeking assistance from veterans organizations. No exemption was adopted. A resident later spoke in support of the proposal.
For parks, officials reported that initial ballfield and amenity plans were being prepared for review, while the town continues pursuing funding options.
Members also discussed a smaller investment of roughly $5,000 to $10,000 in materials to improve the existing pump track. A larger replacement project, potentially costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, was considered difficult to accommodate alongside other park priorities.
In other action, the board approved updated design and construction standards, a Norbut Solar Farm letter-of-credit release, a Scout Path escrow release and a correction to a 2025 payment manifest.
Officials also reviewed holiday traffic preparations around Eastview Mall and the anticipated November opening of Bass Pro Shops, including suggestions for traffic signal backup power, turn-signal timing and signs directing drivers to alternate mall entrances.
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