2.13% Tax Cut in 2010 County Budget

“The current economic and financial climate has been difficult on all of our County residents. I asked County Manager Kathy Rooney to propose a budget that reduces the tax burden on our residents while maintaining the core services we provide to our residents,” said Susan E. Savage, Chairwoman of the Schenectady County Legislature. “I am pleased to announce that our efforts have resulted in a budget that delivers a 2.13% tax cut, the third tax cut in the past five years, and a 3.95% reduction in the County’s full value tax rate, the lowest rate in more than 50 years.”

“This budget was constructed during the most difficult economic downturn since the Great Depression,” said Legislator Philip Fields, Chair of the Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee. “Yet we recognize the need for relief and have provided that to our taxpayers.”

For the past six years, the Democratic Majority on the Schenectady County Legislature has worked to minimize the impact on taxpayers through cuts and creative strategies to control the cost that are within the County’s control. These efforts have resulted in savings of approximately $20 million including:
•Instituting strict hiring and purchasing controls.
•Reducing the County work force by eliminating 200 positions.
•Implementing groundbreaking employee health care cost cutting initiatives, including Medicare Advantage Plans and a Canadian Drug Purchasing Program.
•Implementing a child welfare management program that maintains the health and safety of children while realizing savings through cost effective programming and revenue maximization.
•Reducing the County vehicle fleet by 13%
•Implementing intergovernmental cooperative efforts.