Another Voice / County budget
GOP plan cuts appropriately, avoids tax increase
Last week, the Erie County Legislature Republican minority caucus introduced a budget plan that is fiscally responsible and reduces the size of our government. The goal of our proposed budget amendments is to eliminate the entire $16 million property tax increase, not just a portion of it. At a time when all of the residents of our county are paying some of the highest taxes in the country, and are doing more with less, we demand that our government do the same.
This has been a difficult year and we applaud our colleagues on the other side of the aisle for attempting to craft a plan to avoid some of this year’s proposed tax increase. However, we have a different perspective.
Our plan cuts $8.75 million in non-personnel expenses. A significant savings was derived from utility charges, which we have reduced by 20 percent due to the massive decrease in prices on the fuel and energy markets. Experts predict that this trend will continue.
We have also identified $9.23 million in savings by shrinking government. We believe that the time is now for deeper cuts to the work force. We are not eliminating current employees, but derive massive savings by cutting vacant positions. Taxpayers should not be paying for empty seats.
We do, however, recognize the value of investing in organizations that give taxpayers a high return. Our proposal restored critical funding to Cornell Cooperative Extension and Erie County Soil and Water. These programs bring more than $2 million back to the local economy. Unfortunately, our proposal was quickly discarded in committee.
While the majority would like us to believe that county taxpayers will not be asked to pay more, this is simply false. Under its plan, tax bills will increase with assessments.
Our colleagues’ plan is misguided in several key areas. It is not appropriate to raid the fund balance to the tune of $2 million to pay for projects that are more appropriately paid for by the operating fund. Robbing Peter to pay Paul is irresponsible.
It is also fiscally imprudent to cut the “risk retention fund.” This fund is designed as an insurance policy against judicial claims.
In addition, the majority guts the county road fund. Our transportation infrastructure must be restored after years of neglect. Deterioration of our roads and bridges hampers economic development and creates serious public safety issues.
Now is the time for practical and realistic budgets. We are confident that these cost reductions can be accomplished without sacrificing services. We call on our fellow legislators to look closely at our budget plan so that the interests of taxpayers can be served from both sides of the aisle.
John Mills, R-13th District, is minority leader of the Erie County Legislature. Republicans Michael Ranzenhofer and Edward
A. Rath represent the 4th and 15th districts, respectively.
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