Votes near on town tax levy, police contract

By Patricia Bogumil

Editor

      The Town of Waterford proposed budget for 2014 is pretty flat and totally balanced – which is how Town Chairman Tom Hincz likes to see it. “We’re in good shape,” Hincz commented Tuesday morning.

      Highlights of the proposed 2014 budget include:

      • The proposed tax levy is $1.88 million (up nearly one-half of a percent (0.435 percent) from the previous $1.87 million tax levy).

      • The proposed tax mil rate is $2.5276 per $1,000 property valuation (up nearly 1 percent (0.85 percent, or 2 cents), from the previous $2.5061/$1,000 rate.

      As a result, the owner of a $200,000 home will pay $505.52 in town taxes for 2014, up $4.30 from the $501.22 paid for a $200,000 home under the 2013 budget.

      • Expenses for 2014 are budgeted at $2.94 million, up 1.3 percent from the $2.90 million in expenses budgeted last year.

      • Like many communities in the area, equalized valuation in the township has dropped, equaling $744 million for 2014, compared to $747 million in the previous budget.

      Hincz said the 2014 budget also includes some surplus funds that are available to be used for projects “wherever we need it.”

      “We’re not strapped at all,” he said. “Our budget is totally balanced, and we’re paying down long-term debt that the town has. We’re doing very well.”

Police contract

      The Town of Waterford police have been working throughout this year without a contract.

      That situation might change Nov. 18, at a special meeting planned for 5:15 p.m., right ahead of the scheduled public budget hearing.

      With the help of a third-party negotiator, on Nov. 11 the police union made an offer to the town for a new contract to run from Jan. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2016. The offer will be discussed and voted on by the Town Board Nov. 18.

      Salary/pension details in the proposal include:

      • For 2013, police receive zero percent salary increase and contribute zero percent to their pension;

      • 2014, police receive 2 percent salary increase and contribute 2 percent to their pension;

      • 2015, police receive 2 percent salary increase and contribute 4 percent to their pension; and

      • 2016, police receive 2 percent salary increase and pay into their pension according to whatever state employees are paying.

      Hincz said he feels the proposal “came out favorable for both sides” and said he would like to acknowledge the willingness to negotiate between the parties.

      “We have a good relationship,” he said.

      Developing a three-year contractual agreement proposal emphasizes the town’s commitment to its police department, Hincz added.

Come out and vote

      The town’s proposed $2.94 million 2014 budget will be presented at a public hearing being held at the Town Hall on Monday, Nov. 18, 5:30 p.m.

      Immediately after the public hearing, electors can vote in a special meeting to adopt the 2013 town tax levy being paid in 2014, and also vote to set board members’ salaries from April 2014 to April 2016.