State Property Tax Cap to Stay at 2%
New York State's property tax cap will remain at two percent (plus allowable exemptions) for another year as the rate of inflation is expected to grow by 2.9 percent in 2013, according to the State Comptroller's Office.
The cap, which was implemented in January 2012, limits school districts and municipalities to an increase in their respective tax levy of two percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower.
The Huntington School District, like more than 90 percent districts across the state and 80 percent of municipalities, stayed within the cap in its first year of existence. In order to meet the cap's stringent requirements the state's 700 districts were forced to close schools, raise class sizes, cancel planned equipment purchases, lay-off faculty and staff members, eliminate courses, programs, clubs and teams, curtail bus services and even downsize cafeteria operations.
Unlike many districts, Huntington was able to avoid massive cuts as a result of its history of conservative budgeting and the imposition of scheduling and other efficiencies for 2012/13. "However, the challenge remains," Superintendent James W. Polansky said.
Meeting the requirements of the state tax cap is no easy chore in light of continued increases in the cost of benefits, fuel, transportation, equipment and supplies and mandated items, including special education programs and placements and other educational programs.
Huntington School District officials have already begun giving attention to development of the 2013/14 budget.