C-A tax levy up 1.8 pct.
Garland says figure on target with rate projected during budget period
The Daily Mail
Aug. 26, 2009

COXSACKIE — The Coxsackie-Athens Board of Education on Tuesday approved a nearly $15 million tax warrant for the upcoming school year.

District Chief Financial Officer Leslie Copleston announced to the Board that the $14.8 million levy was only 1.77 percent higher than last year’s levy.

Coxsackie-Athens School Board President Joseph “Seph” Garland III said the levy was on target with the rate projected during the budget period.

Copleston said equalization rates had remained constant in Coxsackie and New Baltimore, increased in Cairo and decreased in Athens. As a result, the tax rate of Cairo decreased and Athens’ rate increased while the rates in Coxsackie and New Baltimore stayed the same.

Copleston said the New York State Tax Relief (STAR) Program exemption had been responsible for some of the levy increase seen in the district.

“When we generate a tax bill, this is the part of the bill we have no control over,” she said.

The tax collection period will begin Sept. 1 and end Oct. 31.

According to a budget presentation made earlier this year, the levy will support 56 percent of the district’s $25.3 million budget. State aid will cover 37 percent of the budget. The remaining seven percent of the budget funds will come from an appropriated fund balance and other revenues, according to the presentation.

An estimated 1,560 students are enrolled in the district’s four schools.