GENESEE COUNTY
Proposed budget holds line on taxes
Published: November 16, 2009, 12:30 am
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BATAVIA — Genesee County’s property taxpayers will be relieved to know that the 2010 budget of $140,666,000 is less than the current year and carries no increase in the real property levy.
In presenting the spending plan last week at a public hearing, Jay A. Gsell, the county manager and budget director, noted the lack of leeway in local spending because of state mandates.
He said that 80 percent of the $24.5 million raised in local taxes goes to six categories, including social services and medical, over which local government has no control.
Medicaid’s appropriation for health care for the poor is expected to rise, but Gsell said the Department of Social Services could see a small decrease to $26 million.
The County Legislature 10 years ago set a goal of keeping the real property tax rate under $10 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. With two exceptions, the challenge has worked. This year’s projected increase was four cents, but the Legislature still wanted no hike, keeping the rate at the current $9.83 per $1,000. An added $65,000 from the contingency fund, suggested last week, will make that possible.
The euphoria of taxpayers will not be shared by many in county government and by nonprofit agencies that have received support from the county’s general fund.
Two months ago, Gsell warned several agencies of a proposed 5 percent cut for the next two years. Among them are the NIOGA Library System, of which the city’s Richmond Memorial Library is a part, and Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Some agencies were spared. The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce tourist program is funded by the 3 percent bed tax. Appropriations to the GLOW Solid Waste program and the Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council remain the same because of shared support among other counties.
Total spending is down by $890,000, and the budget is balanced with the help of $2.2 million from the county’s contingency fund balance. To curb next year’s costs, there is a hiring freeze for all vacancies.
Overall general fund expenses are just shy of $100 million, a drop of 9 percent. Increases include $1.1 million to bring the Sheriff’s Office to $12 million, an added $50,000 to Genesee Community College, $1.3 million more in retirement contributions and $9.3 million in employee health care benefits.
Further changes are possible but unlikely when the Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee meets Wednesday. The budget is to be adopted at next Monday’s meeting.
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