NIAGARA COUNTY, NY -- Niagara County lawmakers approved a new budget Tuesday night following a 12-1 vote.
The $343 million budget cuts spending, reducing taxes to their lowest level in decades, at $7.10 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
That means a 2.3% cut over last year's tax rate.
The budget also included last-minute amendments to include funds for a "Discover Niagara" shuttle, as well as efforts to retain the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
Legislature Chairman Wm. Keith McNall, R-Lockport, had this to say,
We've cut taxes - again. Our families deserve a fiscally responsible county government, and this is a fiscally responsible county budget...This represents a year-long budgeting process aimed at containing costs wherever possible, despite the ever-increasing burden of unfunded mandates.