Tuesday, November 20, 2007

SHOULD USER FEES GO UP IF TAX HIKE COULD GO DOWN?

The Commissioner of parks has discussed with the Town Board the possibility of increasing fees by over $60,000. If the Board approves the fee hikes the town will generate additional revenue, enabling the tax hike to be reduced slightly. He has submitted a draft of possible fee increases to the Town Board. What do you think?
Tentative Budget Proposed for Preliminary Budget Difference

B.15.2001.00 Recreation Fees $425,000 $440,000 increase by $15,000

B.15.2025.00 A.F.V. Park Fees $360,000 $409,000 increase by $49,000



Total Increase $64,000

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

First, a tax is a tax is a tax no matter what one calls it ("user fees").

Second, the proposed increases would impact the tax increase by 2/10 of one percent.

Third, what were the assumptions about usage. For example the proposed incresae in AFV fees would appear to be about 13.6% (49,000/360,000). What if "attendence" goes down as a partial result of the increase in "user fees"? How was this taken into consideration in the "projection"?

On the other hand, the AFV facility appears to operate at a deficit, which means that the overall taxpaying base is already subsidizing those who use this facility. Excluding the cost of the land and improvements, is this good public policy or to what extent should this facility be subsidized by the general tax base or operate at "breakeven"?

When was the last time these various "user fees" were adjusted? Should they be adjusted every year, say consistent with any changes in the Consumer Price Index ("CPI")?

A little more information appears to be needed.

Anonymous said...

Forget about it,the money saved isn't worth the bother.
Sell some of the parkland and get rid of the excess of workers in this department.
You do not need all these workers.
Your parklands are falling apart,because the repairs are not done properly. Why should we pay over and over again for waste land.
The schools all have ball fields that could accomadate all sports.
Do we not pay for the school fields with our school taxes.Let's use the facilities and forget about the paqrklands.
Most of these parcels can generate good revenue if developers are permited to build.
The more new homes the less taxes we pay. Think about it.

Anonymous said...

AFV at a deficit? What about TDYoung Center????

And what about the massive parks and rec overhead???

Anonymous said...

You could cut money from the Police
Dept. by reorganizing the way things are done.
Have Kevin look into this, he has a backgroud in this dept and knows where the cuts can be made without causing a safety issue. A blind man can see where to make cuts in this dept. and save money

Anonymous said...

Why no increase to TDY???????????

Anonymous said...

Central seven is in trouble,why not close the TYC and move the facilities to that school,since they are in a lot of trouble.
Why have a school not being used and a center that's always looking for more and more money.
Like one said the gym here in the school is great so why not take advantage.

Anonymous said...

Many home owners have their own private parkland at their home site.
Having all these parks is a waste of money.
Are they used to capacity i doubt it.
The play ground in Greenville school is used more by the shoppers that go to Central ave shopping than the residents.
During the summer months you can see people on the grass on blankets having a picnic.
They are not residents.
Some leave their children to play and the parent goes shopping.
So what did the association gain by having put up the playground.
the town gained because the taxes went up for this park.
Are the tennis courts only for the residents.
Does anyone check on who is playing .

Anonymous said...

you cannot manage if you do not measure. feiner has never measured park use. veteran park needs to expand its base of users - opening it up to villagers at a higher entrance fee would be one way to go - only residents of ardsley would most likely use the park - either way the town gets more revenue at no additional cost as use of the park has declined so there would be no need to add staff.

Anonymous said...

Idea for veteran park -- OK if all of Town pays for parks and rec.

Anonymous said...

I think Veterans fees for non-Town Outside Village residents should be increased to reflect that they do not pay the TOV taxes.