Tonawanda News

Local News

November 26, 2009

ERIE COUNTY: Legislature’s plan also doesn’t raise property tax rate

BY JIM DOODY

newsroom@tonawanda-news.com

The Erie County Legislature has released its version of the county budget, which stands in opposition to County Executive Chris Collins’ plan.

Like Collins’ plan, the budget was balanced without raising property taxes and without assuming that there will be an increase in sales tax revenue.

“In October, the county executive proposed a balanced, responsible and taxpayer-focused budget that kept the tax rate flat and continued to transfer non-mandated services to willing not-for-profit agencies in our community,” said Grant Loomis, director of communications for the Collins administration.

There are some differences in the Legislature’s version of the budget.

The Legislature’s plan will provide an extra $2.2 million in funding for primary health services. This will come from the closing of the last two Erie County health clinics.

The spending plan also places more of an emphasis on promoting tourism in the area and makes some cuts by reducing pay raises to commissioners and deputies.

Releasing a plan so similar to the one that Collins first released echoes the bitter power struggle over last year’s budget — a fight that ended with a split decision in court when an agreement could not be reached over the county’s actual tax levy.

Tuesday’s meeting of the full Legislature is the next step in the process, when lawmakers meet to consider the amended 2010 plan. The meeting will take place at 11 a.m. Dec. 1 in the Legislature chambers, 92 Franklin St., Buffalo.

Following the meeting, Collins will have one week to veto any changes made to the bill. Collins was not available for comment.

Text Only
Local News
Featured Ads
AP Video
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Seasonal Content
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Front page
Twitter Updates
Follow me on Twitter