LAKE PLACID -- The Lake Placid Village Board approved a $5.1 million village budget Monday night that set the tax-levy increase at less than 1 percent.

The spending plan was approved by a 3-2 vote after several hours of discussion trimmed another $95,000.

Big cuts came as $25,000 was removed from the contingency fund and $40,000 was taken from the transportation budget, essentially one driver position.

The total tax levy -- amount to be raised from taxes -- of $3,371,317 is up $29,288 from last year. It will result in a tax rate near $5.76 per $1,000 of assessed property value, a drop from $6.20 per thousand this fiscal year.

Budget planning in the village comes as assessment grievances are under way, so final tax rolls are not complete yet.

Mayor Jamie Rogers said the budget maintains a $45,000 proposed increase for fuel costs and a new year-round Transportation Department for the village trolley system.

The budget also includes a $30,000 expense for a new police car, to be purchased without bonding.

Spending holds steady despite the added line items, Rogers said, due to multi-year planning efforts.

A 40-percent overall drop in operations over the last three years came primarily through attrition, as people retired or left, and jobs were not filled.

"About five staff members and two department heads retired, and we had four or five employees from the Highway Department that left and were not replaced," Rogers said.

"We've managed to build a smaller and more efficient operation by combining resources in all departments and by working very well with the town (of North Elba) in sharing highway services."

Near-level spending means the village is well situated for expanding the trolley service.

"From our multi-year planning, we knew this was the year to start year-round transportation services," Rogers said.

It's the biggest increase: $263,073, compared to about $75,000 last year.

The State Department of Transportation will reimburse some of the costs per passenger and mile.