Rye City School Budget Gets 70 Percent Voter Approval

RYE, N.Y. – Voters passed the Rye City schools $79.36 million budget by more than a two-to-one margin Tuesday night and incumbent Karen Belnager and newcomer Blake Jines-Story won the election for two seats on the Board of Education, according to unofficial results.

Karen Belanger, left, and Blake Jines-Story received the most votes for two open seats on the Rye City School Board.
Photo Credit: *Rye City School District*

by Brian Donnelly

05/20/2014 9:35 p.m.

With 1,800 ballots tallied, 70.27 percent voted in favor of the budget, which complies with the state-mandated cap on the property tax levy. The district plans to increase the tax levy 1.64 percent and use $2.7 million in reserves and another $913,250 in a new utility tax, with which some residents have expressed displeasure.

The proposed utility tax will be up for discussion at a May 28 public hearing

A 1.08 percent tax rate increase means homeowners will pay $560.65 per $1,000 of assessed value on their home, an increase of $5.99 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Incumbent Karen Belanger received 1,311 votes, followed by newcomers Blake Jines-Story with 1,129. Jason Mehler had 539 votes.

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