BETHLEHEM'S BUDGET RISES.(Capital Region)

BETHLEHEM -- The town's tax levy will rise almost 7 percent under a proposed 2009 budget, and town officials are blaming reduced sales tax revenue and steadily climbing costs for materials.

"The percentages don't tell the whole story," Supervisor Jack Cunningham said. "The costs of goods and services, municipality services, are going up."

The plan calls for spending $38.7 million, a nearly 3 percent increase over the $37.6 million 2008 budget. Bethlehem's current rate is $2.53 per $1,000 of assessed value. The 6.9 percent levy increase would raise the rate to $2.70. The owner of a $300,000 home would see an increase of $52.35 per year.

Cunningham …