Wal-Mart, Inergy seek lower tax bills

    WATKINS GLEN—Inergy and Wal-Mart are asking for reductions to their property assessments, which Watkins Glen School Superintendent Tom Phillips said could mean a loss of $270,198 in revenue from next year’s budget.
    Phillips talked about the two companies’ requests at the Monday, Aug. 6, school board meeting. He explained the reductions in assessments could mean a loss of school tax revenue. Philips said Inergy is requesting a reassessment of three parcels that would decrease taxes going to the school to $186,188. This would be a decrease from $366,777 if Inergy paid taxes based on the current assessment.
    Phillips said Wal-Mart has one parcel and is asking for a reassessment equaling $84,010 in taxes for the school. He estimated that with the current assessment, Wal-Mart would pay $153,760. He added Wal-Mart’s assessment was last challenged five years ago, when the current amount was agreed upon.
    Board President Brian O’Donnell said both Wal-Mart and Inergy have “the right to apply for reductions like any citizen.” However, he added “taking a hit of $270,000” would make maintaining programs “next to impossible.”
    Phillips explained the requests by Wal-Mart and Inergy will be reviewed by the New York State Supreme Court on Aug. 17, where the judge will then make a ruling. Phillips said $270,198 is equivalent to four staff positions, though he added the district would not necessarily look to cut staff to cover this shortfall.
    “I think it’s the duty and responsibility on behalf of these companies to support the community at large,” said Phillips.
    In other business:
    • The board approved an agreement with DeGroot Management for the upcoming 2012-13 school year. Phillips explained the agency will manage the district’s unemployment insurance.
    • Phillips said the district will be managing its transportation in-house next school year, and not hire First Student, Inc. again. He added Michelle Clark will be the transportation department’s manager. Phillips said this would save the district between $85,000 and $87,000.
    The next school board meeting is Monday, Aug. 20. It is expected to start at 6:30 p.m., following a 5:45 p.m. executive session.