Take Control Of Your Taxes

NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC.

"The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt

March 20, 2004

Take Control of Your Taxes

Vote on May 18, 2004

One of the most serious problems facing Nassau County today is the high level of taxation. A report issued by the Citizen’s Budget Commission states “The high tax burden in New York State is attributable to high local government taxes. Local government taxes in New York are the highest in the nation and are a striking 72% above the national average.” While this is of no surprise to Nassau taxpayers, many are unaware of their ability to directly address the issue.

School taxes comprise 60% or more of your local tax bill. 1 The rate of taxation is first proposed by your local school board. It is then submitted to qualified voters of the school district who either pass or reject the budget. If it passes, the tax rate in enacted and collected by your local town. If the budget is defeated by a majority of the voters, it is amended and resubmitted. If it is rejected again, an austerity budget is then enacted.

An austerity budget is often misconstrued as a doomsday budget, it is not. New York State Education Law mandates an increase equal to that of the inflationary rate. If the current inflationary rate is two percent, the increase will reflect two percent. In addition, certain mandated programs like special education must be fully funded. The actual effect is a zero percent growth rate factoring the inflation rate.

The people who decide how much is spent in your local school district are your local school board. The boards are comprised of on average of three to eight trustees. Their terms run for three, four or five years. 2 If your district has a central high school district, the high school board is comprised of two members from each component board. 3 The high school budget is usually a separate budget in addition to the elementary school budget. 4 The trustees do not receive a salary; however any expenses incurred are usually reimbursed. That would include attendance at conferences, seminars, and other related costs to conduct the business of the board.

The problem with local school boards is the failure to implement best practices and accountability in terms of expenditures. More is not always better. The average rate of increase is 2 to 6 times the rate of inflation. 5 Many districts do not have an auditor even though they have the authority to do so.6 A board can simply pass a resolution establishing the office of auditor who shall hold the position subject to the pleasure of the board. An auditor would be able to address waste, fraud, abuse and ensure that the school district is run more efficiently. The savings would well exceed the cost.

You can take control of your taxes by voting on your local school district’s budget and for the candidate that supports common sense spending and reforms. The school election is on Tuesday, May 18, 2004.

1 Town of Hempstead, Receiver of Taxes.

2 NYS Ed law, Article 35, Sec 1702 Union Free Districts.

3 NYS Ed law, Article 39, Sec 1901 Union Free Districts.

4 NYS Ed law, Article 39, Sec 1906 5(d)

5 New York State Department of Education, enacted school budgets.

6 NYS Ed law, Article 39, Sec 1906 5(d)