I'm going to start posting my column to the blog - since the column takes its name from the blog, I think it only makes sense.
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Rutland residents should know this week what the new tax rate will be for the year.
The mayor and Board of Aldermen are expected to meet on Thursday to set the new tax rate, according to Mayor Christopher Louras.
According to Louras, there are still three "wild cards" in the city's non-tax revenue projections – all of which he hopes to have a firmer handle on as the week progresses.
The first of those is the city's surplus from fiscal year 2009, which ended on June 30. In the spring, Louras put into place an "austerity program" – essentially a spending freeze that required department heads to obtain permission from Louras for most purchasing – that he said realized "substantial savings" for the city.
However, a couple of unexpected, big ticket expenses will reduce that savings, he said, pointing specifically to a large, unexpected increase in the city's property and casualty insurance and a tax appeal on the Howe Center that saw the appellant win in court.
The other two "wild cards" – the payment in lieu of taxes and local roads programs – are in the Legislature's hands, but with the joint fiscal committee set to meet on Thursday, Louras expects to receive the first financial forecast about whether the two programs will again by subject to budget rescissions.
Rutland receives PILOT money for several state-owned properties in the city, including the transit center and Asa Bloomer state office building.
In terms of local roads money, Rutland traditionally has counted on receiving $200,000 a year – although that figure saw a slight reduction last year due to the budget crisis. Louras is wary of a similar reduction this year, he said.
"It would probably be imprudent of us to count on the entire amount in the 2010 budget," he said. "That (belief) is supported by Vermont League of Cities and Towns guidance as well."
Last year, the city's general tax rate jumped two cents – from 80 to 82 cents, but still comfortably below the 85 cent tax cap. Last year's municipal tax rate was $1.2811 per $100 of assessed value, the homestead education tax rate was $1.2458 and the nonresidential education tax rate was $1.4854 per $100 of assessed value.
RHA seeks funds
On Thursday, Kevin Loso, executive director of the Rutland Housing Authority, met with the aldermen's Community and Economic Development Committee to gain its support for the RHA's pursuit of a $750,000 Vermont Community Development grant to help fund the Forest Park redevelopment project.
The committee unanimously approved a recommendation that the full Board of Aldermen sign a resolution supporting the grant application, according to committee chairwoman Sharon Davis.
According to Davis, Loso reported that he's still working on securing the $22 million the project is expected to cost, including resubmitting an application for a $10 million Hope VI grant through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The committee's main recommendation to Loso was that he revive advisory groups composed of neighbors and community leaders to ensure communication with the community about the project, Davis said.
The grant application requires that a public hearing be held on the project. It has been scheduled for 6 p.m. July 20 in City Hall's aldermanic chambers, just prior to the Board of Aldermen's meeting.
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