Residents in the Brooklyn area will have their say on how much more they will pay in area rate on top of their annual property taxes.

The Region of Queens describes area rates are special tax rates over and above the normal tax rates which are applied specifically to one or more assessment districts only. Property owners in other districts do not have to pay this charge.

The Brooklyn Recreation Committee has requested that Municipal Council levy a 4 cent per $100 of assessment area rate in the Brooklyn area across Assessment Districts 5 and 6 for the upcoming fiscal year. That would provide the recreation committee with the $32,000 they’re looking to raise to cover some of their costs.

Brooklyn Cemetery Committee is asking the Region to levy a 1.5 cent per $100 of assessment area rate in the same area for repairs and maintenance of the grounds of the First Brooklyn Cemetery, Seaside Cemetery and Brooklyn Community Cemetery.

Residents will cast ballots on the area rates in a non-binding vote which will be considered by Region of Queens council when they are preparing the 2023/2024 budget.

A Public Area Rate Meeting will be held on March 27 at Liverpool Fire Hall from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Residents can vast their vote on the proposed area rates March 30 at Brooklyn Community Hall from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Region of Queens Council is reviewing the budget in March and will set tax rates, including area rates for the upcoming year in April.

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