How about living in the town versus living in the city of Batavia? i know you get services in the city you don't get in the town, but I don't believe that the difference is justified in the level of services city residents receive.
We had a Village Administrator in Bergen who lived in Erie County. He had no vested interest in Bergen- took his money and ran. Now he's a political boss in EC. Good riddance! It's not just where officials pay their taxes; it's walking the walk and talking the talk. How much allegiance can a government official have to a community if that official chooses not to live in the community he/she serves? Requiring officials to reside in the community they serve ensures a level of commitment, accountability and a necessary familiarity. If a community lacks the depth of talent required to fill a position, maybe it's time to merge.
Speaking of Local Taxes...Getting off the immediate topic, but I heard the county legislature passed a "Use Tax" on any vehicle owned by a resident of Genesee County. Payable upon re-regestering or purchasing a new vehicle. Did anyone else hear about this?? It isn't a lot of money. $5.00 for vehicles under 3500 pounds, $10.00 over 3500#, and any vehicle with a commercial registration. This is not applied to any resident outside Genesee County. Sounds like our Dog Tax. $5.00 a year for owning a dog. We get nothing for these taxes except a hollow feeling in or stomach. Back to the Topic, why shouldn't they live in Batavia? Batavia is paying them, and besides they would be more in touch with local issues.
Fred its true...After all the money we pay in gas tax ,car registration fees,its not enough they just want more..This is the county's way of adding to the county budget without going over the 2% cap....They claim it is for road and bridge repair.So i would expect them all to be in great shape... .You would think that the money the county gets from the sales tax on gasoline should be enough...What do you mean by city officials...Who are we talking about......I though that was allready a rule for employment with the city...Doesn't matter though,city council just makes exceptions as in the case of the Asst.city manager Kuzon...
I heard it applies this year only to new vehicle registrations. Next year it applies to all registrations. Looks to me like a way around raising taxes. Guess the next thing in Genesee County will be a Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Mark,
In the City, the decision makers are required to live in the City. All nine council members are required to live in the city and the six that represent the six wards must live in that ward. The City Manager and the Clerk/Treasurer are also required to live in the City.
John i also thought that it meant the Fire Chief and Police Chief.....I was wondering what city officials the poll is talking about...Didn't the city also grant a waiver to Kuzon...
They would live here if the
They would live here if the taxes weren't so high
They're high everywhere in
They're high everywhere in WNY, many places, higher.
How about living in the town
How about living in the town versus living in the city of Batavia? i know you get services in the city you don't get in the town, but I don't believe that the difference is justified in the level of services city residents receive.
Anyone who makes decisions on
Anyone who makes decisions on how tax dollars are spent, should live in the municipality that is being taxed.
The town of Batavia does not pay for BPD or BFD,the city tax payers do, therefore the decision maker should live there too'
We had a Village
We had a Village Administrator in Bergen who lived in Erie County. He had no vested interest in Bergen- took his money and ran. Now he's a political boss in EC. Good riddance! It's not just where officials pay their taxes; it's walking the walk and talking the talk. How much allegiance can a government official have to a community if that official chooses not to live in the community he/she serves? Requiring officials to reside in the community they serve ensures a level of commitment, accountability and a necessary familiarity. If a community lacks the depth of talent required to fill a position, maybe it's time to merge.
Well said CM
Well said CM
Speaking of Local
Speaking of Local Taxes...Getting off the immediate topic, but I heard the county legislature passed a "Use Tax" on any vehicle owned by a resident of Genesee County. Payable upon re-regestering or purchasing a new vehicle. Did anyone else hear about this?? It isn't a lot of money. $5.00 for vehicles under 3500 pounds, $10.00 over 3500#, and any vehicle with a commercial registration. This is not applied to any resident outside Genesee County. Sounds like our Dog Tax. $5.00 a year for owning a dog. We get nothing for these taxes except a hollow feeling in or stomach. Back to the Topic, why shouldn't they live in Batavia? Batavia is paying them, and besides they would be more in touch with local issues.
Are you are talking about
Are you are talking about merging the City of Batavia and the Town of Batavia? If yes, what is the benefit to the Town?
Fred its true...After all the
Fred its true...After all the money we pay in gas tax ,car registration fees,its not enough they just want more..This is the county's way of adding to the county budget without going over the 2% cap....They claim it is for road and bridge repair.So i would expect them all to be in great shape... .You would think that the money the county gets from the sales tax on gasoline should be enough...What do you mean by city officials...Who are we talking about......I though that was allready a rule for employment with the city...Doesn't matter though,city council just makes exceptions as in the case of the Asst.city manager Kuzon...
Where did you get that from
Where did you get that from Ted, CM never went there, simply stated Government officials should live in the municipality that they work
I heard it applies this year
I heard it applies this year only to new vehicle registrations. Next year it applies to all registrations. Looks to me like a way around raising taxes. Guess the next thing in Genesee County will be a Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Mark, In the City, the
Mark,
In the City, the decision makers are required to live in the City. All nine council members are required to live in the city and the six that represent the six wards must live in that ward. The City Manager and the Clerk/Treasurer are also required to live in the City.
John, I am aware of that was
John, I am aware of that was responding to the poll question not throwing an accusation.
"Today's Poll: Should top city officials live in Batavia?"
EDIT Oh you meant Mark P sorry about that
John i also thought that it
John i also thought that it meant the Fire Chief and Police Chief.....I was wondering what city officials the poll is talking about...Didn't the city also grant a waiver to Kuzon...
Mark, Only the Manager,
Mark,
Only the Manager, Clerk/Treasurer and Council members are required by the Charter to live in the city.
You serve for a community,
You serve for a community, then you should live, breathe and know the community you serve!