Town Hall · Potsdam

Potsdam, NY town hall & government

Potsdam spent $12.5 million in the year to May 31, 2024, about $1,463 per resident.

Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Potsdam's government.

Town budget

Where Potsdam's money goes

Spent
$12.5 million
fiscal year to May 31, 2024
Per resident
$1,463
typical New York cities: $2,553
Long-term debt
$15.1 million
$1,761 per resident
Sewer & trash
$2.4 million19%
Police
$2.1 million17%
Water & other utilities
$1.9 million15%
Administration & buildings
$1.3 million11%
Roads & transportation
$1 million8%
Interest on debt
$633,0005%
Parks & libraries
$530,0004%
Other
$2.6 million21%

Where the money comes from

  • Property taxes 56%
  • Fees & charges 17%
  • Utility sales 13%
  • Interest, fines & other 4%
  • Other taxes & licenses 4%
  • From the state 4%
  • From the federal government 1%
Town workforce

Who works for Potsdam

Full-time staff
53
14 part-time too
Average full-time pay
$67,000
a year, before benefits
Sworn police officers
13
full-time, with power of arrest
Police
18 full-time
Roads & transportation
14 full-time
Administration & buildings
6 full-time5 part
Parks & libraries
2 full-time7 part
Fire
4 full-time
Housing & development
2 full-time2 part
Sewer & trash
3 full-time
Water & other utilities
3 full-time
Other
1 full-time

Staff on the town's payroll in March 2022. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.

Schools · school year 2023–24

Potsdam Central School District

Potsdam's K–12 school district, shared with Potsdam. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.

Spending per pupil
$26,329
New York: $34,607
Students
1,336
in the whole district
Long-term debt
$8.1 million
at year end

Where the district's money comes from New York districts overall: 51% local, 41% state, 8% federal

  • Local 42%
  • State 51%
  • Federal 7%

Of the $26,329 per pupil, $17,696 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.

Property tax

What homeowners in Potsdam pay

Typical tax bill
$4,986
a year · New York typical $6,582
Effective rate
3.41%
of home value · New York 1.55%
Typical home value
$146,400
owner-occupied

The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.

Local

Contact Potsdam's government

Town hall & decisions in Potsdam →

Beyond town hall

Who represents Potsdam

Potsdam is represented in Congress by Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Representative Elise M. Stefanik. Kathy Hochul is governor.

All of Potsdam's representatives, with contacts →

Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.

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