From the Office of Mayor Shayne Gallo:

Contrary to what some critics in the community are posting on Facebook, taxpayers are not going to be faced with a 10% tax increase. Facebook is not the forum for this discussion and information is available on the draft City Budget located here on the City website.

The tax increase for homestead/non-homestead is due to the City losing $100 million in assessed value, it has nothing to do with taxes going up across the board.  Homestead properties will pay 2.87% more; non-homestead will pay 2.77% more in City taxes.

For further information and to view all the attachments on the draft City Budget, contact my office and/or visit the City of Kingston Website at www.kingston-ny.gov.

Clarification on the Increase in City Tax Levy vs. Tax Rate

The City’s 2014 proposed budget includes a 2.82% increase in the overall tax levy, excluding Safety Net.  Broken down by taxpayer category, the tax levy increase for homestead properties is 2.87% and the tax levy increase for non-homestead properties is 2.77%.  The increase in the tax levy represents the average (some will be more, some will be less) percentage increase in actual dollars on the City portion of their tax bill.   

The tax rate increases for homestead and non-homestead properties are 10.69% and 8.26%, respectively.  The increase in the tax rates is primarily a result of a cumulative 6.45% reduction (Reduction from $1,531,544,630 for 2013 tax year to $1,432,808,257 for 2014 tax year ) in total assessed value on the City tax roll.  Thus, because most properties will see a reduction in the assessed value of their property, the average increase in property owners tax bills (2.87% homestead, 2.77% non-homestead) will be much less than the increase in the tax rates.

As an example, a homestead property with an assessed value of $150,000 in 2013 would have paid $1,144.80 in City tax (excluding Safety Net) on their last tax bill.  In 2014, if the reduction in the taxpayer’s property assessed value is in line with the average (6.45%), the City portion of tax on their 2014 bill would be $1,177.63, an increase of $32.83 or 2.87%.

As another example, a non-homestead property with an assessed value of $300,000 in 2013 would have paid $4,407.36 in City tax (excluding Safety Net) on their last tax bill.  In 2014, if the reduction in the taxpayer’s property assessed value is in line with the average (6.45%), the City portion of tax on their 2014 bill would be $4,529.55, an increase of $122.19 or 2.77%.

Please also visit our website, www.kingston-ny.gov, and/or contact my office and/or Comptroller John Tuey for further clarification.

AVR—Promenade Progress is scheduled to begin in Spring 2014. The Mayor and Economic Development Office is in contact with the Department of State regarding agreement to facilitate CFA grant award. In the interim, AVR agreement is being finalized as well as forming a Project Advisory Committee for the project which involves representatives from AVR, City of Kingston and Town of Ulster.

Additional information may be obtained from the Mayor’s Office.

Washington Avenue Sinkhole—In response to postings on Facebook be advised there have been three (3) neighborhood meetings for the affected property owners to participate in to receive regular updates that have been held at the HV Senior Residence. The Daily Freeman, Times Herald Record, Kingston Times, YNN all have done in-depth interviews with the Mayor’s Office, Engineering Office or on site.  According to Paul Kirby, reporter at Daily Freeman, there have been many articles published on the Sinkhole. Please visit our website to view posts from the Engineering Office pertaining to the pertinent information and progress of the Sinkhole.  Information may also be obtained by attending monthly Finance meetings of the Common Council.  Contact the City Clerk’s Office or Mayor’s Office for scheduled meetings or visit our website for a view of calendars. You may also call the Mayor’s Office to be referred to the Engineering Department for updates.

For information on the “BEAT” midtown revitalization initiative, please see my Facebook page and/or the City’s webpage, and/or contact my office for additional information.

My Facebook Page is to promote and disseminate event listings that are happening in the City of Kingston. I recommend that you visit www.kingston-ny.gov in order to be updated on issues and concerns in the community, and/or contact my office at (845)334-3902 and I will refer you to the appropriate department for information concerning matters of interest.