BUFFALO, N.Y. — The "most independent and coordinated" budget she’s ever been involved in, that's how the Chairwoman of Erie County County Legislature characterized the county’s spending plan for 2024.
The $2.2 billion budget passed unanimously Thursday with virtually zero fireworks.
The final budget is largely unchanged from what the legislature started with. The 2024 Erie County Budget is 9% higher compared to 2023.
Two headline items, a property tax cut, and a home energy tax cut, had already been negotiated in July.
Both Republican and Democrat lawmakers praised the bipartisan process.
“It's been a very solid budget that's what I'm happy about we are moving in the right direction, the administration is cooperating, and both sides of the aisle are working together, and I think that's the biggest thing coming out of this,” said Minority Leader John Mills, who represents District 11.
“As the chairwoman said it was an independent budget and we even had the committee weigh in so their voices were heard…so I think this approach was a great approach. I think this is what you'll see going forward with this body right here,” said District 1 Legislator Howard Johnson.
The property tax cut, the first in two decades, will save taxpayers over $80 million over the next decade according to Republican lawmakers. Although those savings won't be the same for everyone.
“They'll see that in their county tax bill,” Legislator Mills said.
“Some may not because of the structure of their local town and villages but their tax rates in the county they will see a decrease and that's for the future that's not just next year's budget," he added.
As for the energy cost savings, sales tax will not be collected by the county on home energy bills during December, January, and February.
A proposed fee increase for county parks was nixed by the legislature on Thursday, so the price of renting a shelter at a county park won’t be changing.
A 9% fee increase paid to the Erie County Water Authority will kick in on January 1 for both residential and commercial properties. It will cost an extra $30.40 per year for an average residential customer using 56,000 gallons according to the county.
Despite a lot of debate over the proposed budget for the Erie County Sheriff’s Office leading up to decision day, as reported by 2 On Your Side.
An amendment to retain six positions for the Sheriff’s Community Engagement Team was successfully passed and the county’s police service escaped the chopping block.
Chairwoman April Baskin argued the money for those positions could be better used to support community groups and not law enforcement. Baskin challenged the Sheriff’s Office to develop a tangible plan to engage the community, which she said has so far not been presented.
Legislators will have more money to invest in their own districts next year.
Some $16 million from a 2021 county executive budget item was shifted to the legislature’s coffers.
Each 11 legislators is set to receive $1 million to be spent on projects within their districts.
Legislators Johnson and Mills defended the repurposing of that money.
“You know the savings that we have to spend in our districts will go to capital improvement projects in our district. That's needed in all 11 districts so I think you'll see it passed along because it's not a new tax it's just funding from other areas in the budget and we can take that and use it in our districts,” Legislator Johnson said.
“The dollars that were spent for each of the districts came from money that I like to use the word squirreled away by the county executive. It’s 2021 budget money so those dollars are now back out in the community,” Minority Leader Mills added.
An amendment that was close to passing but ultimately failed would have continued the county's sales tax reprieve on gasoline, which has capped collection at $2 per gallon for over a year.
All four members of the Republican caucus and one Democrat voted in favor of the measure, but the vote failed 6-5.
The reprieve will expire in March 2024, and the county will once again collect 4% sales tax on the full cost of a gallon of gas instead of capping it at $2. It will cost between 5-7 cents per gallon when filling up in Erie County.
In a statement, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz praised the passage of the budget.
“Today’s passage of the Proposed 2024 Budget is the culmination of months of hard work, dialogue, and negotiations to produce an agreement that is fiscally sound, reflective of the values of our community, and invests in programs and services that benefit all of Erie County. The Adopted Budget once again lowers county property taxes, something my administration has done for six consecutive years now, and as a result that rate is now the lowest it has been in Erie County history. More relief is coming to homeowners in the form of a tax holiday on home heating energy for the three coldest winter months, substantial savings that residents will see right away. In addition, investments in public safety, infrastructure, libraries, and parks will continue to improve our community and build a better Erie County for the future,” Poloncarz said.
“I thank the Erie County Division of Budget and Management, led by Director Bob Keating, along with our department heads for their work in crafting a Budget that appropriately addresses needs while being cognizant of fiscal realities today and into the future,” Poloncarz added. “That hard work was recognized and affirmed by the Legislature today in their unanimous vote. While I am disappointed that some members of the Legislature attempted to reverse an important technical correction regarding the gas tax holiday, in the end, financial wisdom prevailed. My administration will be closely monitoring the budget in the coming months to ensure Erie County is on the strongest possible budgetary footing in the new year. I thank Majority Leader Timothy Meyers for his commitment to fiscal responsibility throughout this process as well as Chairwoman April Baskin for her leadership and partnership in finalizing this budget.”