×

Erie county: Spending not under control

For the last six years, there’s been some major momentum in Buffalo and the suburban areas. Construction and job growth seems to be on the rise — and a positive attitude about the upstate’s largest metropolitan area is evident.

But there is some dissension.

Last month in West Seneca it got downright nasty when the town board there proposed a 12 percent increase in the property tax rate. Adding to residents’ frustration was in 2016 when Town Supervisor Sheila Meegan was approved for a 15 percent pay increase from $63,100 to $72,500.

For some perspective, the post is full time while the positions in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties are part-time. The post with the highest supervisor pay is in Hanover locally at close to $20,000.

In the end, West Seneca approved an 8.6 percent tax hike for 2018, which is not good for the community or its residents. Even worse, the state instituted a tax cap in an attempt to prevent hikes like this from occurring.

A 15-percent pay raise for the town’s leader and an 8.6 percent tax hike seems like a rotten result — and that is not good government.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today