Concerns Voiced Over Fredonia's Budget Proposal at Public Hearing

A budget containing a 13% property tax increase was the focus of a public hearing at Fredonia Village Hall on Monday. Mayor Mike Ferugson, trustees and village residents voiced their feelings about several aspects of the proposed $11.9 million spending plan during the hearing that lasted more than 1 1/2 hours. Ferguson said the proposal, which increases spending by approximately 5% from this year's budget, was not done frivolously or "with any joy"...

Mike Ferguson: we are also taxpayers

Trustee Michelle Twichell questioned whether village department heads should be getting a 3% raise, as proposed in the spending plan. She says she would prefer to see that money be used somewhere else, and added that she would rather see a reduction in their salaries...

Michelle Twichell: shouldn't be raises for department heads

A total of 14 village residents spoke during the hearing. One of them was former mayor Athanasia Landis, who believes that the proposed increases in the budget could potentially end up bankrupting the village...

Athanasia Landis: could potentially bankrupt Fredonia

Meanwhile, trustees have set another special meeting for the budget on Wednesday at 10:00 AM. Also, a second public hearing on the budget will be held the following Wednesday, April 24th at 7:00 PM.

Image and audio from Fredonia Access