The evening of 2021-12-20 was a meeting of the Honeoye Falls Board of Trustees.
There was a public discussion (as opposed to public hearing) on the topic of cannabis. Various views in favor and against opting in to the States plan were shared. In the end, the Board decided to take no action. Which in effect means opting in. While I don’t particularly agree with this action, I am mostly ambivalent. So long as no one is expecting me to partake. My body, my choice, as the saying goes.
There was an interesting discussion about giving local fire fighters a discount on their tax bill. The primary concern seemed to be what the financial cost to the Village would be. At the risk of showing my ignorance, I don’t think there is any financial cost to the Village.
As I understand the levy system: a levy is defined. Which is then divided across the total assessed value. Any changes to the assessed value have no direct impact on the levy total.
Back to the firemen, as this plan appears to work by lowering their assessed value, I doubt it will impact the levy, and therefor not the tax income either. Of course, as this means the Village receives the same income, that money needs to come from somewhere. Which is to say, any decrease in taxes to the firemen becomes an increase to the rest of the tax base.
Which isn’t to say it isn’t worth it, just that we should be aware of the likely results before granting anyone special treatment in regards to taxes. Treating any group differently, especially by the government, shouldn’t be done frivolously.
And those are my Observations From Audience Land for the December 20, 2021 meeting of the Honeoye Falls Board of Trustees.