BATAVIA — Genesee County legislators breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday as they approved resolutions to renew two taxes that account for up to $8.5 million in the 2009-10 budget.

A two-year extension of the extra 1 percentage point sales tax as well as a .25 percent mortgage recording levy had been held hostage by the State Senate during its five-week standoff over control of the body. Without action by the state, the county’s authority to levy the taxes would expire in November.

The sales tax accounts for $8 million in revenue, with half going to the county and the other half divided between the City of Batavia and the county’s 13 towns.

The mortgage levy raises as much as $500,000 a year, depending on real estate activity. A public hearing must be held on the extension, and the Legislature set the hearing for 7 p. m. Sept. 9.

The sales tax revenue is earmarked to reduce the county’s debt and pay for capital projects. The added 1 percentage point dates to 1980.

Earlier, County Manager Jay A. Gsell met with legislators for an overview of the 2010 budget. The $140.5 million spending plan keeps the property tax rate under $10 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The rate is $9.82. In other action during the Legislature’s only August session, lawmakers:

Extended an annual contract with Orleans County to house female prisoners at the Albion jail at a cost of $75 per day, an increase of $5. Genesee’s jail has no provision for women inmates.

Accepted a homeland security grant that will pay most of the cost of a $59,127 specially equipped rapid deployment vehicle to be used by the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management Services, and city and Le Roy police. The successful bidder was Farber Specialty Vehicles of Columbus, Ohio.

Accepted a state Division of Criminal Services grant of $35,300 to be used next year by the district attorney for prosecution services.

Approved a land lease with ITT Corp. of Herndon, Va., for the installation at the county airport of an FAA-approved navigational tower to aid airport operations. There is no expense to the county.