Town of Canton begins 2025 budget process

Sep. 29—CANTON — Canton Town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley presented her proposed tentative budget for 2025 to the Town Council at a budget workshop Thursday afternoon.

The budget, which will undergo several changes before adoption in November, calls for an increase of $264,169 over spending in 2024.

The 2024 budget called for spending of $3,794,137. The 2025 budget total is $4,058,306.

Ashley said her proposed tentative budget includes a tax increase that hits the tax cap. However, because Payment in Lieu of Taxes from three community solar projects expected in 2025 must be included as revenue, the tax cap is limited to a one-cent increase.

The tax rate for 2024 was $2.95 per $1,000 in assessed valuation. In 2025, unless the board elects to override the tax cap, the tax rate will be $2.96, which will bring in $16,610 more than in 2024

Ashley said that every year, she presents the board with a proposal that either falls under or maximizes the New York state-mandated tax cap.

"I propose it to that level, and it is up to the board to override the tax cap," she said.

Each year, the board passes a local law allowing the tax cap to be overridden, but this has never been done during her tenure.

The three solar projects that will be making PILOT payments and Host Community Benefit Payments are:

— TJA Clean Energy on Route 11 pays a PILOT of $2,408 and a Host Community Benefit of $7,500.

— Grass River Solar, LLC (Cypress Creek Renewables) on County Route 27 pays a PILOT of $2,013 and a Host Community Benefit of $6,000

— U.S. Light Energy on Meade Road pays a PILOT of $2,408 and a Host Community Benefit of $7,000

Ashley said she is about two weeks behind on the budget this year due to work that needed to be done following Storm Debby.

The budget must be completed by the board by Nov. 18.

"My goal is to have it done before then," she said.