Efforts are being made by the county to cut the % of the sales tax that goes to the city. The entire basis of the county's position is a false, untrue, and bogus claim that the sales tax revenue was tied to the safety net.
I have been involved in city politics for over 25 years. I can tell you for an absolute fact that safety net issues were NEVER discussed or made a part of the negotiations for sales tax.
Anyone who says otherwise is either being lied to or is actively lying.
The reason the county made the deal was to avoid the city exercising its rights to impose a city sales tax.
Former Mayor Sottile, who was present for those negotiations, and Dave Donaldson, who was also involved, confirmed this in The Kingston Times. Dave did so using very clear and perhaps inappropriate language.
I disagree with these men 95% of the time, but they are correct in this instance.
Mayor Noble has been called a lightweight. This is his chance to lose that moniker by standing up to the county on this issue.
I urge the Mayor to stand tall and not give in on this issue. I did not support him in the election, but he is the duly elected Mayor. If he fights the county on this issue, I will stand with him.
If the Mayor caves on this issue, the "lightweight" moniker will remain his forever. Worse, property taxes will jump big time.
This is the first big test. Let's see how he fares.
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Can't get into Kingston Goodfellas wants you to now use a google account?log
Maybe the new mayor should "rethink" his hiring new employees after Mayor Gallo's budget was over-ridden. He wants to hire two new people in Economic Development to do what one director was doing and instead of keeping a well-qualified individual in that position, he opts to change the specs and split the office; wants to hire a communications/Hodge Center scheduling coordinator, hire a part-time environmental educator IN ADDITION to a part-time position which was approved previously AND increase his new secretary's salary. Mind you, when the position was advertised through social media, it was $30,000; hiring and increasing salaries AFTER the fact are items to be negotiated during the budget process. Let's not forget there are three contracts that expire this year and his decision to rehire Rea before the court decision is final will cost us plenty too. We can't accept the logic there was money in contingency to cover these budget items. If we stand to lose the lion's share of sales tax, how are we going to make up the difference? The taxpayers are on the dime for this and a lot more. Hang on to your wallets City taxpayers!!! This is the beginning of a financial crisis.
I agree with you!! This will be his first test and important test. If he cannot stand up for the city he will become ineffective for the next 4 years.
In the Freeman article of 1/26/16 (Doxsey) it states, "Prior to 1993, the county kept all the sales tax revenue." Really? Not even close to accurate. Just another example of the suffering the fish endure daily.
I'm no expert...but I would think as a new mayor, holding on to contingency money for the first year would be a good idea...not spending it down in the first year to hire non-essential employees. Why wouldn't the new mayor wait & see how things operate at city hall before promising to hire all these new people to do jobs that have been being done by current employees. It makes no sense. I hope someone is advising him that this is real money we're talking about...real money that taxpayers work hard to contribute. I see bad things looming in the near future for Kingston.
You forgot to mention 1:34PM that part of the new mayor's proposal was for him to get paid $3,000 for his insurance buy-out. Really? It isn't enough that he's going to reap $75,000? Clearly he has not demonstrated that he is worthy of that but is looking for ways to rob the candy store! What's next? Work boots?
How would you handle the sales tax agreement?
Married spouses can have 2 health insurance family plans? That would be $3,000 on the "buyout." Thinking that is not legit but what do I know.
I would have rather had Mayor Gallo. This kid is a disaster.
Since we are all hearing of the comeback of kingston etc etc. And the fact is retail is down considerably in Town of Ulster I would tell Hein kingston was looking for more based on percentages of retail taxable sales say 12-14%. If not the deal is over and Kingston would go back to their own 2% and county deal with results.
Until the sales tax issue is resolved there should be no "extra" spending at city hall. we do not know the outcome and there could be a bad resolution for the city.
City is looking at failing infrastructure which is costing taxpayers. a rise in taxes is inevitable and now add in a possible reduction in sales tax? Contingency fund is not meant to be a money tree....it should only be an emergency fund. Really tired of Hein thinking that the city is his kingdom. We get dumped on.......enough is enough!
What's your point 11:25. So he just takes family coverage and his wife would take the buyout.
County legislators get a $4000.00 dollar raise with no increase for there health insurance. Not a word from you.
I think Gerentine is making a good point about the sales tax. The county eliminated the safety net tax and the city increased spending and taxes to eat up all that relief to taxpayers. Seems like you all are missing the point.
Parete, Parete and Donaldson, gave the Majoroty to Republicans. People cannot or should not be surprised the Republican Leadership want to cut Kingstons share of safety net . They would never agree to the County taking over the cost for the last 30yrs. Only after Mike Hein made a proposal for takeover and Mr Cahill voted to increase the safety net charges from 50% to 71%at the State level did the Legislators representing towns agree. Gerrintine and Ronk said they would only take from Kingston and leave the towns alone. People need to relax, there is negotiating going on with the Mayor and County Executive . I say leave it the way it is and move on.
As a conservative I am concerned that nobody is asking why the city jacked up the property tax when the safety net bill from the county went away. It's disgusting how out of control the city budget is
Guess your the only blog up and running these days.
7:11. That's the prior administrations budget.
Oh come on - Hein had Gallo so brainwashed that this sales-tax thing would have been a done deal as soon as Mike told Shayne to sign on the dotted line. Noble is at least showing skepticism.
There was a meeting yesterday, so what happened?
7:11. Perhaps you are not aware of expensive infrastructure repairs that has to be paid for and not just the Washington Ave. corridor. City has to borrow. Borrowing means payments which means a raise in taxes. All things considered city taxes are a lot cheaper than school taxes. School taxes will drive people away from the city causing a smaller tax base. and quite possibly a smaller student population as families move out. I am VERY concerned about city finances being able to weather these recent maelstroms ( infrastructure, KPD, KFD, DPW contract negotiations and a sales tax issue). If the city goes under so will Ulster County. UC needs to stop being so greedy. One place to start is no raises for legislators. Might be just a drop in the bucket but it would show they are serious about keeping UC solvent. Can't think of the last time city Alderman receive raises. Much less have medical insurance coverage. Even reduced the number of council members to save the city money. and now we have a new Mayor with very little experience in major budgets and running a multimillion operation. Nice guy but I don't see a steely resolve especially in going toe to toe with Hein.
You are way off base 12:37 pm with that comment. The one that had everyone over the barrel was the assemblyman, twice in fact. No one got anything over Gallo when it came to budgets and figures. Haven't you ever attended one of his press conferences? Kid Noble has taken a seat at the big boys table for the pending sales tax distribution and is taking a lot of notes because he is clueless.
January 30, 2016 at 11:09 AM...the point is either way the buyout would be based on a single plan, 1500 not 3000, married spouses can't have 2 family plans. One family plan and one single plan is it.
Spending is out of control at city hall. So we now have a communications and outreach coordinator? Where is all the tax savings from safety net? The city council spent it and increased my city taxes as those taxes were phased out.
In a day and age where most people are being penalized to cover a spouse that can cover themselves,Kingston officials should be no different. The mayor should not be seeking money because he can be, without penalty, covered under his spouse and vice versa. The "kid" should be setting an example as mayor. Shocker!!!
1:16pm are you kidding me. Gallo got us into this financial crisis. First he spent over a half a million dollars in the CRea case.
Second he cut deals with the unions that would have cost taxpayers another quarter million.
Noble made a good decision in voiding both deals. Police promotions and the CSEA domestic partner health insurance.
Criticizing him for taking notes is a joke. All good leaders take notes. As well as all good lawyers.
Maybe that was Gallo's problem. He thought he knew everything and wouldn't take advice.
Who is the new communications/outreach coordinator? No word about it in the local papers.
Hold that thought 5:36 PM when your taxes go up next year. Noble is way in over his head and your comments are misplaced. Pay attention!!
How is the test going. I hear Hein has the upper hand.
Who is on Nobles team?
2:53. Perhaps the "team" is Uncle Jim and the other Jim......I'M BACKKKKKKK!!!!
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