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

Local News

November 26, 2009

Anonymous The Tonawanda News Thu Nov 26, 2009, 10:59 PM EST

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.

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