Residents of the city of Lockport are reportedly facing the possibility of a 9.75% property tax hike. The increase is part of the city's plans for dealing with financial shortfalls in next year's proposed budget.
Lockport Mayor Anne McCaffrey says the city has already cut 14 positions and removed itself from the ambulance business as lawmakers work to close a budget gap disclosed by a state audit.
"We wish we were not in the position to have to raise taxes, but unfortunately there have been a number of years in the past where there was not an eye to making sure that the budget balanced. So that really got us into a hole. We need to make sure going forward that we've got the revenue in hand to pay for the expenses that we have," said McCaffrey. "We've been doing everything we can to reduce expenses.. and now we're at the point where we've got to look at revenue as well."
The proposal would amount to a nearly $120 increase a year for a property valued at $77,000. The tax hike and budget for next year will be voted on next Wednesday, November 19th.
The following week, McCaffrey says lawmakers will be considering a water and sewer rate hike.