LIBERTY — After a 4-1 vote adopting local law #5 of 2024 removing the two percent tax cap for the upcoming 2025 budget, the town board of Liberty voted 3-2 to update the tentative budget status to preliminary. As of their October 8 meeting, the tax increase is set at 3.5 percent within the Village, and 2.88 percent outside of the Village. 

The sole vote against the local law Monday night belonged to councilperson Vincent McPhillips. Prior to the vote, a public hearing was held regarding the local law, which heard no opinion for or against it.

Voting against the progression of the now preliminary 2025 budget were both councilpersons McPhillips and Sherri Kavleski. Voting in favor were Town Supervisor Frank DeMayo, Dean Farrand and John Lennon Jr. Both votes passed with no public discussion from the board.

The public hearing for the preliminary budget is set for the next town board meeting, October 21 at 6:30 p.m.

A snapshot of the  preliminary

According to the report prepared by Liberty’s Director of Finance and Budget Officer, Cheryl Gerow, the town exceeded the two percent tax cap by approximately $42,258.

As for home owners within the Village, the Town Tax increased from last year, with the rate per 1,000 going up 0.25 – landing the Town Tax at $750.10. Homeowners outside of the Village will see a 0.32 increase, landing around a total of $1,155.57.

Other major changes

The report also details the following major changes to the 2025 budget:

1. Increased hourly rate for seasonal/part-time employees due to minimum wage increasing from $15.00/hour to $15.50/hour. Seasonal salary rates have been adjusted accordingly. 

2. Increased Building Department Fees by $25,000 

3. Eliminated funding to Parks Capital Reserve for $15,000, Town Hall Capital  Reserve for $10,000, Town Barn Capital Reserve for $5,000, Dog Control Capital Reserve for $5,000 and Administrative Equipment Capital Reserve for $3,000 

4. Increased Parks Contractual by $6,500 and Pool Contractual by $5,000 due to increased costs.

5. Eliminated Senior Accountant position for $6,000 with the agreement of the  Finance Director receiving the $6,000 in addition to any agreed upon employee raises for the year 2026. 

6. Includes a $2.50/hr rate adjustment given in August 2024 to all full-time employees.i 

7. Increased Appropriated Fund Balance for the General Fund Townwide by $100,000  and Highway Fund Townwide by $25,000.