Tax Rate Remains Flat in Village of Lawrence

For at least the third year in a row, the Village of Lawrence Board of Trustees on Thursday voted to keep its tax rate flat, despite the mayor’s initial request to lower the rate by 2 percent.

Trustees continue to be concerned about the village’s reliance on its fund balance, which currently has between $4 and $5 million. The amount of money taken from the fund balance has increased compared to last year.

“A lot of our financial situation is still murky — we over-collected taxes for many years,” said Trustee Michael Fragin. “We’re funding the village halfway from money we shouldn’t have in the first place.”

He later added in an email to Patch, “It is not the cause of the problem, but it means that we can camouflage our spending and losses at the country club by not having to raise taxes.”

The tax rate per $100 of assessed value will remain at $71.60. The approved $6,337,317 2013-14 budget is 2.19 percent lower that last year’s fiscal plan.

“One could rationalize raising taxes, but I don’t think we should hold on to taxpayer money.” Mayor Martin Oliner said.

The financial condition of the Lawrence Yacht and Country Club remains to be an issue for the trustees. Apparently, officials have inquired whether the club makes a profit or loses money for two years without a firm answer. Two years ago, the village put about $2 million in the club, which had been losing money for years at that point.

Although Oliner said he has high hopes for the club — golf memberships are up from last year — he asked the administration to get definitive numbers.

“We can’t go on without it,” he said.