Town’s taxes still at $651,000 after five years

By Robert Cloud

Farmington residents should see no increase in the town’s portion of their 2016 property taxes.

After a public hearing Monday, Nov. 16, the Farmington Town Board approved a $651,317 tax levy, which is identical to the levy it approved last year.

This is the fifth year in a row Farmington has levied approximately $651,000 in taxes.

“Essentially, we’re pretty flat,” Town Chairman Kevin Will said, regarding Farmington’s taxes.

The town’s tax rate will remain at $1.49 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Farmington’s total expenditures for 2016 are budgeted at $1.03 million. Of that amount, $502,550 is for public works, $183,736 for general government, $175,832 for public safety, $59,266 for culture and recreation, $49,662 for sanitation, $30,713 for contingency, $18,000 for capital outlay and $13,754 for services such as the dog pound and the cemetery.

In addition to property taxes, Farmington’s revenues include $264,545 in state aids, $61,775 for licenses and permits, $4,836 in service charges and $50,500 in interest and insurance recovery from the closed landfill.

In other business, Michael Jameson asked the town board to “consider a resolution to officially go on record” regarding the Wheelhouse’s employee parking lot. Neighbors oppose the parking lot, saying it is located on a parcel that is zoned for residential, not commercial use.

Will said the town board would not comment on the issue because it was the county’s responsibility to address it.

“Until such time as the county sees fit to bring it back to us, at that point there would be an open discussion,” Will said.