N.Y. Real Property Tax Law § 1608: Adoption of operating budget

§ 1608. Adoption of operating budget. 1. Each consolidated assessing

unit shall adopt an operating budget and submit the same to each

constituent municipality no later than September first of each year, or

in Westchester county, no later than October first of each year. Such

budget must be approved or disapproved by a majority of the constituent

municipalities within twenty-five days of such submission. If the budget

is disapproved, the consolidated assessing unit must submit a revised

budget to the constituent municipalities for approval or disapproval

within ten days of such disapproval. Such revised budget must be

approved or disapproved by a majority of the constituent municipalities

within fifteen days of such submission.

2. The local laws establishing the consolidated assessing unit may

contain an identical formula or method for allocating the budgetary

expense of the consolidated assessing unit among the constituent

municipalities. In the absence of such a formula or method, the

budgetary expense shall be allocated in proportion to the number of

parcels in each constituent municipality. Such allocation of the

budgetary expense shall be included in the ensuing budget of the

constituent municipalities prior to any public hearing on the municipal

budget. The governing body of each constituent municipality is hereby

authorized to appropriate and raise by taxation money for the expenses

of the consolidated assessing unit, and the consolidated assessing unit

is hereby empowered to receive and expend the funds so allocated from

its constituent municipalities.

3. Revenues raised by the consolidated assessing unit shall be used to

offset the costs of generating the revenue and to enhance assessment

improvement efforts. Provision shall be made within the annual operating

budget for the collection of revenue. The board of directors shall

determine the allocation and disbursement of revenues received.

4. The constituent municipalities shall not be responsible for any

expense incurred by such consolidated assessing unit except pursuant to

contract with the consolidated assessing unit or pursuant to an

operating budget approved by a majority of the constituent

municipalities.

5. In furtherance of the purposes of this article, such consolidated

assessing unit may receive and expend grants from private foundations or

agencies and may apply for and accept grants from the federal government

or the state government and otherwise enter into other contracts for

provision of assessment related services. Such consolidated assessing

unit shall only accept grants, donations or subsidies in accordance with

such reasonable conditions and requirements as may be imposed or

approved by the board of directors.

6. Every consolidated assessing unit shall make a financial report to

the governing body of each constituent municipality at least quarterly.