CANTON -- The village Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on the tentative 2015-16 budget at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 20 at 6:30 pm at the municipal building prior to their regular monthly meeting.

The financial plan calls for no increase in the tax rate, now $10.20 per thousand dollars of assessed property value. That rate will result in a 0.14 percent increase in the total tax levy.

An increase of 3.5 percent in water and sewer rates is necessary to support the total spending plan of $6,080,198 that needs to be passed by May 1, according to Mayor Ann Ashley.

"We are confident to be able to present a budget that was crafted by department heads, Budget Officer Noble and my recommendations that are in alignment with our strategic plan,” Ashley said.

Ashley said it is important for taxpayers to realize that nearly two-thirds of property in the village is tax-exempt. “Thirty four percent of property owners bear the burden of 100 percent of the taxes,” she said.

“For the past four years, we have been aggressive in cost analysis on spending, increasing revenue, and decreasing our debt. Costs associated with payroll and benefits are 55 percent of our budget with all eligible employees now contributing towards health insurance. We went from being in debt $4.5 million dollars to $2 million in four years with the last payment for the sewer bond coming up in December 2015.”

Ashley said that for their taxes, property owners get “a visionary and responsive village board, municipal financial management, legal services, a police force for security, clean water and sewer systems, clean roads and sidewalks, new roads, economic development services, code enforcement, a historian, an animal control officer, town court services, an arena, golf course, beach, parks, recreation programs, webmaster services, annual festivals, library support, planting of trees, community beautification, and examination of sustainability. Using a team based approach, with no village administrator, this board has and will continue the momentum in taking care of our dedicated employees, working environments and purchasing the necessary equipment to provide service with excellence.”

Some priorities for infrastructure in the village for this coming year include increasing revenue, examining space issues, securing and developing a second water source, purchasing equipment, business development, examining solar power, supporting the St. Lawrence Health System Project and CVO/Argent housing project, negotiating a fair contract for our police department, upgrading our roads and water/sewer systems, being part of developing the Canton Community Action Plan, and supporting the waterfront revitalization plan, Ashley said.

“This past year has been overwhelmingly successful due to visions, planning, strong work ethics, trusting partnerships and a very high level of community involvement,” the mayor said.