Even though it was out of necessity, we have got to take a look at the 17.59 percent tax increase that has got Village of Liberty residents looking down the financial barrel yet again. We don’t think anyone would disagree that this outcome is just downright unfair.

Back in 2011, when taxes across New York State ran rampant without order or accountability, then Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration implemented a new rule – no surpassing two percent while raising annual taxes without first passing a local law to enable going over the limit. 

The kicker is that the Village did everything they were supposed to, in terms of following the proper channels in raising taxes. It is even more unfortunate that when a public hearing was held on the budget that contained the spike, no one went on record to speak against it. In a similar way that it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to raise a village. If you live there, consider becoming more involved in your local government (and not just when things get bad!)

But in terms of creating a budget that doesn’t put an extreme burden on taxpayers, that responsibility falls on Village officials. It was thrown around that perhaps creating a village manager position would be beneficial to the village. Going from 8 percent jump last year, to over 17 percent this year is just frankly unsustainable.

And yes, these jumps are necessary to keep the services operation within the village, but while they get a variety of those services for their hard earned tax dollars, it has to be kept in line. 

Not to mention, village taxes are not the only thing plaguing residents – sometimes prices for other services attempt to financially ruin our neighbors. Just a few months ago, NYSEG bills surged hundreds of dollars for a number of people county-wide. It is because local powers have no control over those types of charges that we must be extra careful with the things we can control.

At the end of the day, we agree with Village Mayor Joan Stoddard where she said that the villages are the heart of the county, places where thousands of people call home and have lived for decades. If the county can figure out any way to assist with sales taxes or by other means, the Village of Liberty needs it.

Because at this rate, there won’t be any people who can afford to live in one of the hearts of the county.