Clarence School Board approves levy, tax rate
by BETH HUTCHINSON Copy Editor

The Clarence School Board on Monday approved a 2006-07 property tax levy of nearly $36.8 million, the amount projected before the May 16 budget vote, but the average tax rate, just 4 cents higher than last year, is below the earlier estimate.

District residents living in the towns of Clarence, Amherst and Lancaster will pay $15.84 per $1,000 of assessed value, up from $15.80 last year - a quarter percent increase.

The average tax rate projected in the spring was $16.42 per $1,000, according to district business manager Richard J. Mancuso.

According to Superintendent Thomas G. Coseo, a home in Clarence assessed at $200,000 paid $3,160 in school taxes last year and will pay $3,168, or $8 more, this year. The figures do not include STAR program rebates.

"The community should be very pleased with this," said School Board President Michael B. Lex.

Coseo said the district was able to keep the tax levy at the projected amount because of a favorable financial audit and a slight increase in state aid. He said assessments are also higher than estimated "We historically underestimate

assessments for the annual report," said the superintendent, noting that this year's increase amounts to 7.9 percent or $169 million.

Normally the assessment increase is in the 4 percent range, said Mancuso, noting that the increase reflects a combination of new builds and people getting their assessments raised.