Common Statements and Facts

Johnson City Dissolution Plan

Common Statements & Facts 

Written by Julie Deemie

Statement:
If I vote to dissolve the village my taxes will be lower and I will save money.
Fact:
The tax savings shown in the Dissolution Plan are not guaranteed.  If the savings were miscalculated taxpayers have no legal recourse. AIM incentives are not guaranteed after year one.

Statement:
Dissolution is the only way to cut off the Village Labor Unions.
Fact:
The Endicott Firemen are part of a Labor Union.  Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies are part of a Labor Union.  Town of Union DPW workers are part of a Labor Union.

Statement:
The Town of Union will take better care of the village and its business.
Fact:
There is no plan to increase the Town of Union Supervisor and Council Members hours although they will more than double their responsibilities.
The Town of Union does not have a plan to revitalize Johnson City or bring in additional revenue.  The Dissolution Plan does not include funds to upgrade our parks, sidewalks, streets, etc.

Statement:
Town of Union refuse collection will cost less.
Fact:
Depending on your homes assessed value or commercial property status your refuse rate will be dramatically higher than it is now.  A Centralized DPW garage has been mentioned.  It will cost a lot of taxpayer money to combine the JC and Union DPW garages into a central location.

Statement:
The Dissolution Plan will provide ample police coverage through the sheriff’s office.
Fact:
Chief Potts has said that there will not be enough patrols to combat JC’s increasing crime issues.  Sheriff Harder says he developed a minimum staffing plan for Johnson City.  The Sheriff’s office is not an urban police agency.

Statement:
If Dissolution does not work out to our satisfaction or save taxpayers money we can petition to become a village again.
Fact:
After forfeiting our parks, carousel, firehouses, police station, water system and sewage treatment plant to the Town of Union it would be nearly impossible to reclaim those assets and they could become cost prohibitive.  NYS is pushing for dissolution and would resist re-incorporation.  We would never be able to reclaim our “Incorporated in 1892” status.

Dissolution is a permanent legally binding agreement with no guarantees that the Dissolution Plan will be followed.  Residents will have no legal recourse.  The Town of Union, Village of Johnson City and Dissolution Committee Members including their hired consultant can not be held liable if the Dissolution Plan should fail in any way.  It is your responsibility to be educated.