A local attorney lobbied for tax relief for small businesses Thursday as the Tonawanda Town Board prepared to vote on a 2010 budget.

John R. Drexelius Jr. was one of two speakers during a public hearing on the preliminary $88.54 million budget. He argued that nonhomestead taxpayers, which include small business and apartment owners, constitute approximately a third of the tax base but are being asked to shoulder more than half of the tax burden.

The 2010 tax levy is approximately $46.4 million.

“Unfortunately, this budget proposal continues to overtax our small businesses,” said Drexelius, a Kenmore resident who is active in Republican Party politics.

“The nonhomestead portion . . . has increased dramatically,” he said.

The budget’s townwide general fund tax rate, per $1,000 of assessed valuation, is $6.41 for residential [homestead] properties — up from $6.19 — and $12.94 for nonhomestead, up from $12.02.

“I believe the board should consider adjusting these proportions,” Drexelius said.

The homestead/nonhomestead formula was implemented in the town in 1986.

“This Town Board was dealt the hand we were dealt by previous boards,” said Councilman Joseph H. Emminger. “We have just been here for only four years.”

Emminger said the board regularly discusses the issue. He also pointed out that the town’s Industrial and Commercial Incentive Board is working to develop an incentive program to encourage economic development.

Ultimately, the board unanimously approved the 2010 budget. For the owner of an average home assessed at $50,000, the 2010 tax bill will be $1,160.91 — an increase of $17.12 from this year.