BY ADAM ATKINSONNorth Country This Week

POTSDAM – The Potsdam town board has approved a preliminary 2027 budget that increases the tax levy by more than $120,000 for the general fund and hikes the overall rate by 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

The total tax rate expected for town residents at large, which covers the budgets for the general fund, highway DA, town outside, highway DB,  and fire districts, is expected to be $2.82 per $1,000 of assessed value. 

That number is a 20 cent increase from $2.62 per $1,000 in 2026.

Under the preliminary tax rate for 2027, a resident with a $100,000 assessment on their property can expect to pay $282.32 in taxes. This is an increase from $262.10 in 2026.

Residents who live in the water district should expect an increase as well.

The board approved the final version of its tentative budget for the coming year Oct. 22 and set a public hearing on the spending plan for Nov. 5 at 4:30 p.m.

General fund

The preliminary budget for 2027 features a tax levy for the general fund of $935,452.31, up from $815,058.28 for 2026. This will boost the tax rate per $1,000 of assessed property value to 0.95, up from 0.82 in the current year. 

Total appropriations for the 2027 general fund are planned for $1,890.052.31, up from $1,852,258.28. 

Increases to the general fund include slight hikes to the town justice budget across several line items; a small boost salaries for the custodian, assessor, town clerk and some support staff; increase to the town highway superintendent salary of $3,560 per year; $5,000 more for Postwood Park’s recreational budget; and minor increases to the allotment for seniors groups. 

The preliminary general fund budget accounts for $75,000 in appropriated fund balance to cover expenses, a $50,000 drop in county sales tax; and increases to the county mortgage tax, cannabis sales and state aid. 

Other budgets

The town’s budget for the town outside fund shows a jump in total appropriations to $185,142, up from $182,432, all of which is covered by revenues besides taxes. 

The 2027 preliminary budget for the town’s fire district contracts accounts for $11,000 for the Hannawa Fire Department, up from $10,000 in the current year; $110,000 for Norwood, up from $90,000; $167,500 for Potsdam, down from $177,500; and $141,750 for West Potsdam, up from $135,000. 

Total appropriations for the 2027 fire district budget is $430,250, up from $412,500 in the current year, all of which is to be raised by a tax levy. 

The budgets for the Hewittville and Sissonville lighting districts are staying the same at $3,975 total which is to be paid by taxes on the residents in those special districts. Tax rates for the residents in the districts are staying the same in 2027 from 2026. 

The town’s Highway Fund - DA budget for 2027 is $1,349,828, up from $1,260,884 in 2026. Increases include payroll raises and benefits, and increases to installment purchase contracts. 

The Highway - DA budget will be covered in part by a tax levy of $1,069,828 in 2027, an increase from $1,030,884. The tax rate will increase to 1.08 per $1,000 of assessed property value from 1.04 in the current year.

The town’s Highway Fund - DB budget will increase to $1,722,203.27, up from $1,614,789.36 in 2026. The fund is paid for by state CHIPS aid, sales tax, fund balance and other revenues. No taxes are collected to cover the bottom line. 

The town’s Unionville sewer fund will increase 2027 to $39,688.96, up from $37,391.09 in 2026. A tax levy of $25,888.96 will cover the appropriations, an increase from the 2026 levy of $20,111.09. The 2027 sewer fund tax rate is 5.68 per $1,000 of assessed value, an increase from $4,41 in 2026. This budget is to be covered by residents in the district. 

The town's Unionville water fund budget is expected to stay the same in 2027 at $28,454.60. The appropriations will be covered in part by a tax levy of $23,204.60, an increase from $19,594.60 in 2026. A tax rate of 4.93 per $1,000 of assessed value is planned, an increase from 4.16. This budget is to be covered by residents in the district. 

Residents in the Route 56 water and sewer districts will be paying debt fees of $54,562.78 and $24,433.33 respectively  divided amongst the residents, despite not receiving the services.