tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385941970577961249.post4385855576858017418..comments2014-11-24T19:57:55.041-05:00Comments on Property Tax in Dutchess County: Fairview Fire District's Staffing Crisis ContinuesBill Rubinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139253202894399632noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385941970577961249.post-80910990986146628682011-09-15T20:25:25.497-04:002011-09-15T20:25:25.497-04:00I've considered putting my name on the ballot ...I've considered putting my name on the ballot too only to prevent the taxpayers from loosing conrol of the board. The really problem lies with New York State Laws but Albany is not paying any attention especially Miller and Saland while they feed the NFP non-taxpaying entities while these same entities continue to take property of the tax rolls in this very small fire district. As long as it is not killing them or coming out of their pockets they could care less. Regionalization is the Key but will any new Co. Exec. really consider this or just pander in this election year. "Trust but Verify"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385941970577961249.post-7322700215923841922011-09-12T12:39:48.935-04:002011-09-12T12:39:48.935-04:00@Andrew M: Thanks so much for your thoughtful que...@Andrew M: Thanks so much for your thoughtful questions and comments. Regarding projected tax rate increases, Fairview officials presented information about this at the May 26 meeting. Unfortunately, their presentation was flawed by mistakes (see my 9/4 blog post), and was in any case hard to follow. In my view, it is essential for us to see a simpler, cleaner, and corrected presentation of the projected tax rate increases, perhaps along the lines of my 9/6 blog post.<br /><br />Regarding tax exempt properties in Fairview, there has been much misinformation, which I have been trying to correct for three years. My data show that tax exempt properties in Fairview are not growing any faster, proportionally, than the taxable properties. According to my March 31, 2010, blog post at http://firetaxdutchess.blogspot.com/2010/03/fairviews-2008-exempt-percent.html, Fairview's exempt percent has remained steady at around 47.8 percent for three years, with no discernible trend. If the housing project at Hudson River Psychiatric ever gets built, the exempt percent could even go down.<br /><br />Regarding your thought to run for fire commissioner, Fairview has a desperate need for commissioners with leadership skills such as understanding and presenting financial data, managing conflicting objectives, articulating positions, and working with other people. If you have some of these skills and an interest in learning about fire department operations, you would be an asset to Fairview's board of fire commissioners. I plan to post to this blog soon about Fairview’s leadership vacuum.Bill Rubinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16139253202894399632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385941970577961249.post-17641538040233703502011-09-11T23:03:03.327-04:002011-09-11T23:03:03.327-04:00Assuming the Commissioners agree to go for full st...Assuming the Commissioners agree to go for full staffing. Sure that alleviates the staff issues and brings the fire house up-to a functional level where the firemen are not overworked and can relax and have more time off as they should. What type of projected tax rate increase would we see?<br /><br />Assuming that scenario, how many of the fixed income families dwelling in the fairview would be in dire straights?<br /><br />What about long term for those that can sustain a bit higher taxes now..<br /><br />As time goes on the large Tax Excempt properties will continue growing. I think this situation can only get worse as time goes on. <br /><br />I have considered running for the 5th commissioner seat to put another fairview tax payers voice on the board, but I fear I have no solution or ideas to bring to the table to help things along. <br /><br />It seems no matter which way things swing, one side is in for a hurting.<br /><br />Andrew M - 6 CobeyAndrewMnoreply@blogger.com