Beacon's higher tax plan isn't going over well

By Maeleeke J. Lavan
Poughkeepsie Journal

BEACON -- A proposed 6.9 percent tax increase got a cool reception recently from some Beacon residents and at least one city council member.

''There are lots of things we need to think through,'' said Lee Kyriacou, D-councilman at large. ''I will vote against this budget as it stands now.''

Beacon and many other local municipalities are trying to keep taxes down in the face of rising insurance costs and other expenditures. The proposed $16.7 million budget for 2003 represents an 8.9 spending increase over the current budget.

The city has until Dec. 31 to adopt the budget. If final figures can't be agreed upon, the proposed budget goes into use.

In an effort to keep down any tax increase, officials plan to tap $300,000 of the city's fund balance.

''We're anxious to hear what the public has to say,'' Mayor Clara Lou Gould said.

During a recent public hearing on the proposed budget, only a few of the handful of residents who attended the hearing spoke in front of the council.

Alternative to tax

Resident Bob Schlegel didn't openly object to the proposed tax increase, but suggested to the council there is a way to lessen the burden on residents.

''I think Beacon needs a user tax,'' he said.

He said taxes could be reduced by charging a small fee for users of nontaxable businesses in the city -- such as tickets to the Dia Center for the Arts.

''At the end of the year you'll have thousands and thousands of dollars,'' he said. ''Please consider it this year before you put your final stamp (on the budget).''

City officials have met repeatedly with department heads in order to scale back further increases and determine what equipment and additions are needed.