ALBANY – By a unanimous count, the legislature approved a 2017, $652 million budget that slightly decreases taxes while holds the line on spending.
The legislature made minor modifications to the budget proposed by County Executive Dan McCoy before passing the measure on Monday, Nov. 5.
I found the budget presented by the county executive to be one of the better budgets I have worked on in my many years in government,” said Democratic Majority Leader Frank Commisso (D-11) in a statement.
Thanks to an increase in the county’s tax base, he budget will increase the tax levy, the amount of taxes collected, by 1.38 percent without raising the tax rate, the amount each property owner pays in taxes.
It includes $250,000 for the Albany County Land Bank, which ups the county’s commitment to $1.75 million; a newly created $250,000 cultural and economic development fund; and $$1.7 million from the casino in Schenectady County. It also consolidates the recreation and youth sports programming into a new Department of Recreation
It does provide a 2 percent raise for non-union county employees.
The budget had bipartisan support.
“The minority conference is pleased the executive and the legislature has adopted our conservative fiscal strategy,” said Minority Leader Frank Mauriello (R-27.) “The minority conference will make 2017 a year of fiscal restraint and will continue to serve as the watchdog of the taxpayer’s dollars.”
