Haverling OKs two percent increase in tax rate
An issue that won't go away
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

BATH — Haverling school board members last week formally set tax rates for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, raising taxes for school district residents by two percent.

The new tax rates are $17.15 per $1,000 of full market value, a 17 cent decrease from Haverling officials' earlier estimates of $17.32 per $1,000.

Due to varying rates of assessment in the six towns comprising the school district, tax rates based on actual assessed values vary widely. The Town of Urbana currently assesses properties at 100 percent of their market value, according to the New York State Office of Real Property Services. The same office has determined the Town of Thurston assesses its properties at less than five percent of actual market value.

The difference in assessment rates means Thurston residents are taxed at a higher rate based on assessments than residents of Urbana. Property with equal market value in either municipality should yield an identical tax bill.

Haverling's 2008-09 tax rates based on assessed values are as follows:
Avoca: $17.32
Bath: $33.62
Cameron: $17.15
Thurston: $363.37
Urbana: $17.15

Wheeler: $17.15

Local school taxes finance that portion of the annual budget not covered by state aid. Haverling voters in the spring approved a $30.3 million budget that increased overall spending by 4.2 percent.