Rye Brook Village Board Updates Homestead Tax Rate

Based on adjustment information provided by the Assessor’s office, the Village Board of Rye Brook unanimously approved a homestead tax rate of approximately 74.25 percent and a non-homestead rate of 25.75 percent for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.  The Town of Rye must vote upon the rate before it is officially enacted.

Village Administrator Christopher Bradbury explained that the rates, based on revaluations, would lock the relationship between residential and non-residential property tax rates against shifts in the ratio of one type of property to another in future assessments.

“This is the most favorable rate for the homeowner, said Bradbury, noting that after the Town of Rye adopts the same tax rate, the village could set its actual tax levy at any point up to that approximate 74-26 split between residential and commercial obligations.

The Board also unanimously passed amendments updating Chapter 217 of the Village Code. The ordinance relates to stormwater management regulation.

During his report, Village Administrator Christopher Bradbury commended Firefighters Benson, Fraher, Harrison and Cerone. The foursome bravely responded to a fire call in Port Chester last Tuesday that displaced 11 people from their apartments and destroyed 2 businesses.

Bradbury also said the highway department is “focusing most of its energy on repairing potholes” and has tried several methods to get on top of the seasonal problem.

Road repair, coincidentally, is a major line item in the Six-Year Capital Improvement Program. Mayor Joan Feinstein observed the list of projects included a significantly increased allocation of funds for road repair.

“We used to say we have million dollars homes and don’t have million dollar roads,” said Feinstein. “I don’t know if we still have million dollar homes, but we definitely don’t have million dollar roads.”

Feinstein said a recent repavement study indicated that the approximate $350,000 to $400,000 allocations for road repair in previous budgets was not sufficient and thought the amount suggested in the six-year forecast of $500,000 was more appropriate, even though it represents a major proportion of the program spending recommendation.

Bradbury emphasized the list was a guideline and not a budget or project recommendation. The list, which includes a new community center and highway supplemental garage , was a reflection of some the projects the village residents have expressed an interest, said Bradbury.

The Board will consider a resolution at its next meeting on the purchase of a new information kiosk for the AJP Community Center.at its next meeting on March 22. A vendor has agreed to provide the pilot-level equipment at a reduced rate in exchange for permission to display ads on the information terminal; in return the kiosk would be discounted to $3500 and a projected annual maintenance of $1200.

Correction: Previous version said City instead of Town of Rye.  The Mayor said $500,000, not $600,000. There will not be a public hearing about the kiosk purchase.