The Niagara Falls City School District is getting closer to implementing equal tax rates for homeowners and business owners alike, but commercial properties will still be taxed slightly more for the coming year.
James Ingrasci, business administrator for the district, said Thursday owners of business properties will play 53 cents more than those of residential properties in school taxes per $1,000 assessed valuation.
Business property taxes have been significantly higher than residential taxes for many years but have been gradually adjusted to close the gap.
By next year, the full equalization of the rates should be completed, Ingrasci said.
“(The city’s) policy apparently is to reduce it by 2 percent a year,” Ingrasci said. “It looks like if assessments and valuations stay the same, that will bring it to one rate next year.”
The Niagara Falls City Council certified the 2 percent reduction for 2008-09 school taxes Monday. The city has been attempting to eliminate its dual homestead/non-homestead taxing system for several years, but at Monday’s council meeting City Assessor Dominic Penale Jr. said it would be harder for the city to close the gap.
School board member Russell Petrozzi, a businessman, said Thursday the school board has “done (its) share” and the city needs to make a better effort to reduce the burden on businesses in the city.
“They changed our proportions because it’s easier to shift the burden of our taxes but they haven’t done anything with their taxes,” Petrozzi said.
The Niagara Falls Board of Education also held its annual reorganizational meeting Thursday night, a formal step to renew its policies for the 2008-09 year.
The board re-appointed board president Robert Kazeangin as president and Don King as vice president. The board suspended its district policy prohibiting a member from serving more than two consecutive years as president or vice president to allow Kazeangin and King to hold onto their positions for a third year.
The board also renewed retainer agreements with attorneys Angelo Massaro and James Roscetti. Massaro will be paid $96,987 per year while Roscetti will be paid $91,702.
Local News
FALLS SCHOOLS: Business tax gap closing
Business, homestead rates equalizing for school taxes
- Local News
-
-
Child run over be car on Niagara Avenue
Falls Traffic Division investigators said an 11-year-old boy was struck after he darted into the street, in front of a car as it pulled away from a stop sign.
-
Militello paid $50K to leave Niagara-Wheatfield
Former Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Carl Militello is receiving a $50,000 from the district, according to a separation settlement agreed to on Feb. 1.
-
Autopsy unable to determine cause or time of Judith Burr’s death
An autopsy by an Erie County Medical Examiner has failed to determine either the time of death or the cause of death of Judith Burr.
-
Gerber resigns from SPCA board; calls for adding veterinarian to staff
A Town of Niagara veterinarian and long-time member of the SPCA of Niagara Board of Directors has stepped down.
Dr. William Gerber submitted his resignation on Tuesday. It was effective immediately. -
Has NYPA relicensing agreement led to a revival?
A state senator is calling for an audit of the low-cost power and cash used in the last seven years by Niagara County entities that have shared in the benefits of the 50-year relicensing agreement with the New York Power Authority.
-
Joseph Davis State Park gets some green
Officials in the Town of Lewiston received approval Thursday to spend a significant portion of the community’s incoming greenway funds on the redevelopment of Joseph Davis State Park.
-
Search continues for Falls jumper
State Park Police were still searching Thursday for a Falls man who jumped from the rapids bridge at Goat Island on Wednesday morning.
-
NU gets helping hand for campus projects
A new county entity formed to help organizations secure bond financing agreed on Wednesday to assist Niagara University in the development of its new science center, a proposed refurbishment at Meade Hall and other campus improvements totaling $48 million.
-
One Niagara tax break denied
It’s a no-go for a proposed tax break at One Niagara.
At least for now. -
County IDA adds local hiring clause
From now on, applicants seeking assistance through the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency will be expected to demonstrate their “best efforts” in hiring local workers for subsidized projects.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
