After hearing no public comments, officials decided to continue a public hearing regarding the 2011-12 village of Baldwinsville budget before approving it. Despite a decrease in spending, the proposed budget, presented during the Jan. 6 board meeting, includes a 13.6 percent increase in the tax rate. This is partially due to a $325,000 decrease in anticipated sales tax revenues. The proposed tax rate increases from $6.12 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2010 to $6.95 per $1,000 in 2011. A home assessed at $100,000 would pay $695 in annual village property taxes (not including special districts such as water and sewer) for the fiscal year beginning March 1, 2011 and ending Feb. 29, 2012 should the budget be approved. Tax rates for previous years were: $7.00 per $1,000 in 2007-08; $6.36 in 2008-09; and $6.12 in 2009-10 and 2010-11. According to Treasurer John Salisbury, total expenditures have decreased $313,040 from last year (from $4,233,238 to $3,920,198), which includes a decrease in regular police and highway salaries (down $178,951 and $67,333, respectively). However, due to increases in retirement and medical insurance costs, as well as the loss of sales tax revenue, the tax levy (total amount collected in property taxes) will increase from $1,895,751 in 2010 to $2,178,839 in 2011, should the budget be approved. Officials decided to continue the hearing to the Jan. 20 board meeting allowing residents more time to review the budget, which is available in full detail at the village hall (16 West Genesee St.), and make comments during the next board meeting.