Village of Lewiston OKs 20-cent property tax increase

Rob Creenan, Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
·1 min read

Apr. 18—The Village of Lewiston Board of Trustee's approved a 20-cent property tax increase as part of the annual budget on Monday.

The new tax rate is $8.16 per $1,000 assessed value, meaning homeowners with a house appraised at $100,000 will pay an additional $20 in property tax. This is the second straight year the village increased the tax rate by 20 cents.

The $5.44 million budget projects $4.65 million to be raised through village revenues, including $3.6 million in general fund revenues and $1.32 million raised through real property taxes.

The village water and sewer rates, $4.03 and $4.79 per 100 cubic feet of usage, will remain the same.

Village Treasurer Stephanie Longwell has said that aside of new line items for new village projects, the tax increase is more about keeping up with inflation and cost-of-living expenses.

Major expenses for the village include $950,077 for public safety, $242,763 on various debt payments, $364,052 on culture and recreation, $434,383 on home and community services, $569,873 on employee benefits, $210,000 in debt service for bonds, and $704,739 on various transportation costs.

Some notable new expenses included are $100,000 each for electrical and bathroom upgrades in the village's Red Brick municipal building, $10,000 for the future bike path by Academy Park, an additional $5,000 to the Historical Association of Lewiston whose museum needs roof repairs, and $6,500 toward fireworks.