Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz issued the following statement on the adoption of the 2019 Erie County Budget by the Erie County Legislature:

Poloncarz said, “The adopted 2019 budget is a sensible plan that not only builds on the progress we are making in Erie County but also includes a significant reduction in the 2019 property tax rate of about 2.2%, or eleven cents per thousand dollars of assessed value. This is the largest tax rate cut that county taxpayers have seen in more than a decade, highlighting Erie County’s fiscal strength as well as my administration’s responsible, realistic budgeting process which has reduced the tax rate in every budget since 2012. Once again Erie County will retain one of the lowest tax rates in New York State while still providing the services and programs that residents expect and still remaining under the NYS-imposed tax cap.”

“The budget process is never easy but the end result should be the one that best serves the people of Erie County and this adopted budget does that, with additional funding for roads and infrastructure along with expanded support for the programs and services that the public expects and demands.  Along with the county Division of Budget and Management I would like to thank the legislative team who rolled up their sleeves to get this budget done, meeting on weekends and after hours to work out solutions and show the people of Erie County how good, bi-partisan government conducts itself. Among these public servants are Legislature Chairman Savage, Finance and Management Committee Chair Miller-Williams, and Legislator Hardwick, all of whom recognized the need to produce a practical budget that continues to move our county forward and worked cooperatively to meet that need.”

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