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Town Hall · Berne

Berne spent more per resident in 2022 than 92% of similar towns

Berne’s town government spent $2.3 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $828 per resident.

Election Day

Tomorrow

General election in New York.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$2.3M
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$828
In 2022: $828, more than 92% of 321 similar towns
Long-term debt
$1.0M
end of 2022, reported
Town staff, 2022
10
full-time · 24 part-time · March payroll $92,231
Typical tax bill
$4,331
1.46% of home value · NY 1.55%

What stands out about how Berne is run

Read from the town’s budget and official records.

Compared with similar places

$828 per resident in 2022: more than 92% of them

Berne’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($828 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 321 New York towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $458, and the middle half spent $340–$617. Berne spent more than 92% of them.

Middle half of the group, $340–$617Median $458Berne

Includes sewer and trash ($159,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
321

New York towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Berne itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $828 per resident a year, or $2.27 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 30%.

Where the money comes from
From other local governments 42%Property taxes 24%From the state 22%Interest, fines & other 8%Fees & charges 2%Other taxes & licenses 2%Sales taxes 1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $639,000; interest on debt $41,000. With these, the whole budget was $3 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

Berne reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $4,331 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.46% of the home’s value, vs 1.55% across New York.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

New York$6,582
New Scotland$6,108
Wright$5,279
Rensselaerville$5,247
Middleburgh$4,750
Knox$4,451
Berne$4,331
Westerlo$4,252
Broome$4,096
$4,331
typical bill a year
1.46%
effective rate
$296,300
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Berne’s rate.

Can I afford it? →

The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.

Tax bills are one input to Berne’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Berne →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Berne

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

Check Berne’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Berne yet.
Who works for Berne

One full-time town employee for every 275 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (2,748).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Roads & transportation8 + 7 pt
Administration & buildings2 + 9 pt
Courts, inspections & corrections0 + 3 pt
Fire0 + 2 pt
Health & welfare0 + 1 pt
Sewer & trash0 + 1 pt
Other0 + 1 pt
10
full-time
24
part-time
$92,231
payroll for March 2022
$1.1M
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$54,500
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.Berne had 3.6 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 250 of the 321 New York towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 2.2: Berne had more than 82% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.

The school district

Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District

Berne’s K–12 school district, shared with Knox, Westerlo. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Berne →
$30,468
per pupil · NY $34,607
742
students
$17.8 million
long-term debt

Of the $30,468 per pupil, $18,104 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 44%State 52%Federal 4%

New York districts overall: 51% local, 41% state, 8% federal.

Also serving Berne

Middleburgh Central School District · $33,872 per pupil

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

How Berne voted in 2024

Official results for Berne’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.

President1,780 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican59.3%1,056 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat39.8%708 votes

Others: 0.9% (16 votes).

Most votes in Berne: Donald J Trump

Albany County: Harris 61.9%, Trump 36.5% · New York: Harris 55.9%, Trump 43.3%

Turnout
83%

of Berne’s 2,157 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across New York: 59%.

Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).

U.S. Senate1,727 votes
Michael D SapraiconeRepublican55.4%
Kirsten E GillibrandDemocrat44.3%
Others0.3%

Most votes in Berne: Michael D Sapraicone

Albany County: Gillibrand 65.3%, Sapraicone 34.0% · New York: Gillibrand 58.8%, Sapraicone 40.5%

U.S. House · New York’s 20th District363,350 votes
Paul D TonkoDemocrat61.1%
Kevin M WaltzRepublican38.8%
Others0.1%

Most votes in the district: Paul D Tonko

Whole-district result

President, 2024: Berne, its county and the state

TrumpHarrisOthersVotes
Berne59.3%39.8%0.9%1,780
Albany County36.5%61.9%1.7%149,677
New York43.3%55.9%0.8%8,262,600
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.

Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.

Who represents Berne

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Berne.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    New York AssemblyState representatives
  3. 3
    New York SenateState senator
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of New York

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Next door

How Berne compares with the towns next door

Berne spent $828 per resident in 2022; the 6 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $275 to $1,074. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Middleburgh$275$4,750
Wright$485$5,279
New Scotland$616$6,108
Westerlo$617$4,252
Broome$760$4,096
Rensselaerville$1,074$5,247
Knoxestimate$4,451
Berne$828$4,331

Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).

Reach Berne’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Berne’s government

How much does Berne spend per resident?

About $828 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $828 was more than 92% of 321 New York towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Berne?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $4,331 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.46% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.55% across New York. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the town’s assessor.

Who runs Berne’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Berne yet.

How did Berne vote in 2024?

For president, Donald J Trump 59.3%, Kamala D Harris 39.8% (1,780 votes, official results). Albany County: Harris 61.9%, Trump 36.5%. New York: Harris 55.9%, Trump 43.3%.

How many people work for Berne?

10 full-time and 24 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $92,231 (about $1.1M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Berne in the state legislature?

State Senate District 46 (Pat Fahy) and Assembly District 102 (Chris Tague). The Assembly district also covers 74 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Berne’s government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →