LITTLE VALLEY — In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the Cattaraugus County Legislature adopted a 2010 budget that totaled $211 million and included an increase in the tax levy of less than 3 percent.

The 20 legislators discussed the budget in caucuses and in public, then voted without comment. Legislator Carmen A. Vecchiarella, R-Salamanca, was absent.

Finance Committee Chairman Michael T. O’Brien, R-Portville, said that it was “a long and drawn-out process” as legislators spent several weeks deliberating requests from departments, pared down into a tentative budget by Budget Director Jack Searles.

The budget contains $2.9 million from the county’s estimated $21 million surplus, a sum transferred in order to lower taxes.

The tax levy of $46.1 million features a full-value tax rate of $12.15 per $1,000 of assessed value, up from $12.06 this year.

New 2010 property tax rates per $1,000 include the City of Olean $12.16, down from $154.30, due to reassessments, and the City of Salamanca $62.76, up from $60.77.

Tax rates for some towns are: Allegany $12.15, up from $12.06; Franklinville $15.79, up from $14.90; Hinsdale $12.15, up from $12.06; Persia $15.99, up from $15.08; Randolph $13.06, up from $12.43; and Yorkshire $63.96, up from $61.89.

Most other increases are less than 10 percent. No requests for new positions were filled. Some highway projects and equipment will be financed next year through bonding.

O’Brien said he is concerned about the budget, especially the state of the economy two years from now.

“I think the state deficit is very real,” O’Brien said. “We will have to come up with ways to run services more efficiently” as state and federal cuts are passed on to the county.

His words were echoed by Majority Leader James J. Snyder, R-Olean, the veteran lawmaker who has seen similar changes over the years.

“We have put together a very solid budget in view of what’s transpiring in Albany,” Snyder said. “I don’t foresee any problems unless the state creates them” with reimbursement cuts.

Only two county departments are not mandated: sheriff and public works. State and federal reimbursements to other departments such as health and community services are often only 65 percent, putting the balance onto the tax levy.

Also, the Legislature approved creating a deputy real property tax director, effective immediately. Tax Director Nancy Barney is retiring soon and a deputy is needed to process 2010 property bills, O’Brien said.

An hourly stipend of $1.63 would be added to a current hourly salary should a county employee be hired. Once a new director is chosen, the deputy’s post will cease to exist.

Legislators also accepted the low bid of $156,862 from L. C. Whitford Co. of Wellsville to construct an on-site detour for Otto Bridge 14. The bridge will be replaced after being damaged in a storm Aug. 9-10.