Sleepy Hollow tax request reasonable

Sleepy Hollow tax request reasonable

The editorial refusal to endorse the proposed property tax increase for Sleepy Hollow was based on inaccurate information and sloppy reporting.

The village did not bypass the finance committee, as reported. While Chairman Mike Tennis disagreed with the vote, the finance committee recommended a $400,000 tax increase to the board based on the projected depletion of capital improvement funds within five years; see July, August 2014 board minutes.

The Daily Herald has covered the issue as a scary "82 percent tax increase," but only the village portion of the total tax bill would be affected. The owner of a $200,000 home would see an increase of $316.49, making the total village tax bill $702.45. This is not an unreasonable request. That money provides for police protection, water service, snow plowing, and street paving. A $300-plus increase after many years of belt-tightening and dwindling reserves should be viewed as an unpleasant but necessary adjustment, the cost of one plumber. Compare that to the cost of water main repairs, the police vehicles that constantly patrol the village, and the trucks that plow the village streets after every snowfall. Sleepy Hollow operates on a small budget around with minimal staffing. There have been no expensive purchases, no fancy new buildings and no hiring sprees. What we do have is aging infrastructure that needs to be maintained without a large commercial tax base or any real prospects for economic development.

Sleepy Hollow is a wonderful community to live in and raise a family, and we should do what it takes to keep it that way. Deferred maintenance and reduced services are not sound policy. Crumbling streets and un-mowed parks will only make the village look shabby, which will adversely impact everyone's home values. Vote "yes" to support our village.

Carol Grom

Sleepy Hollow