Town Hall · Watson

Watson, NY town hall & government

Watson spent $5.5 million in the year to December 31, 2022, about $3,117 per resident.

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

Town budget

Where Watson's money goes

Spent
$5.5 million
fiscal year to December 31, 2022
Per resident
$3,117
typical New York towns: $710
Long-term debt
None
none outstanding at year end
Water & other utilities
$3.9 million71%
Roads & transportation
$970,00017%
Administration & buildings
$115,0002%
Courts, inspections & corrections
$72,0001%
Interest on debt
$65,0001%
Fire
$50,0001%
Health & welfare
$10,000<1%
Other
$350,0006%

Where the money comes from

  • From the state 60%
  • Property taxes 28%
  • Interest, fines & other 5%
  • From other local governments 3%
  • Utility sales 1%
  • Other taxes & licenses 1%
  • Sales taxes <1%
  • Fees & charges <1%
Town workforce

Who works for Watson

Full-time staff
11
7 part-time too
Average full-time pay
$58,000
a year, before benefits
Roads & transportation
7 full-time
Administration & buildings
3 full-time4 part
Health & welfare
1 full-time1 part
Courts, inspections & corrections
0 full-time2 part

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

Schools · school year 2023–24

South Lewis Central School District

Watson's K–12 school district, shared with Constableville, Lyons Falls, Port Leyden, Turin, Greig and Lyonsdale. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.

Spending per pupil
$26,043
New York: $34,607
Students
1,058
in the whole district
Long-term debt
$35 million
at year end

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

  • Local 32%
  • State 60%
  • Federal 8%

Of the $26,043 per pupil, $15,515 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.

Also serving Watson: Beaver River Central School District ($20,895 per pupil) · Lowville Academy and Central School District ($21,852 per pupil).

Property tax

What homeowners in Watson pay

Typical tax bill
$2,510
a year · New York typical $6,582
Effective rate
1.56%
of home value · New York 1.55%
Typical home value
$161,300
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. In a town this small the survey estimate has a wide margin.

Local

Contact Watson's government

Town hall & decisions in Watson →

Beyond town hall

Who represents Watson

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

All of Watson'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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Watson

New York · NY · Lewis County
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