Brightwaters' proposed village budget raises taxes 2.7 percent

The Brightwaters village board has released its preliminary budget for next year, which raises property taxes by 2.7 percent, or around $50 per household.

The $2.52 million budget includes a reduction in garbage fees, the elimination of the village’s justice court clerk position, and reducing the village’s obligation to the state pension system by $21,000.

The new budget also calls for establishing a Canal Enterprise Fund where all boat slip rental fees will be placed in a specific fund earmarked for canal repairs and expenses, as well as any debt service payments related to the canals.

The budget also allocates $1.4 million to the general fund for debt service on a proposed bond to repave roads and to borrow another $250,000 for public works equipment.

The board is scheduled to hold a budget hearing at its monthly meeting at 8 p.m. Monday at Village Hall, 40 Seneca Dr. in Brightwaters. The board will vote on adopting the budget at its April 18 work session.