Camillus, New York (WSYR-TV) - Camillus residents will voice their opinions tonight on a proposal to merge the Village and Town of Camillus. The move could save taxpayers money but some are still opposed to the measure.
Some longtime residents of the Village of Camillus say they wouldn't mind paying higher taxes to maintain the status quo.
Richard Kirk owns property and businesses in Camillus. "I'd rather pay more in taxes and retain the village than have it not be the village anymore," he says. "My family has been here since day one, since it's been the village, so I'd just rather have it stay that way. Maybe I'm old fashioned."
The suggested merger comes on the heels of a report by Onondaga County that indicates a tax savings, even if all services provided by both the town and village are maintained.
Town residents with a $100,000 home would save about $30 on their tax bills annually, while a person who lives in a similar home in the village would save about $77 dollars.
Onondaga County Comptroller Robert Antonacci says the Village of Camillus isn't providing to its citizens a unique service that can't be provided by the town.
"With the citizen's empowerment tax credit that's available from the state, the town and the village will actually - I'd hate to say make money - but do better than they are now," he says.
Tonight's meeting takes place at the Camillus Senior Center on First Street in the Village. It gets underway at 6:30 p.m.
