County Legislature Approves 2013 County Budget

Budget is Below Tax Cap
submitted by Rich Crist
The Rensselaer County Legislature approved the 2013 County budget, which is under the State tax cap and protects needed services, at a special meeting Monday evening, December 3, Chairman of the Legislature Martin Reid announced. Rensselaer County has been under the State tax cap each of the past two years the State tax cap has been in effect. Legislators worked with County Executive Kathy Jimino to reduce the amount of a minimal tax increase originally proposed in the spending plan.
[private]Under the revisions formulated by Legislators with County Executive Jimino, the proposed County property tax increase will be reduced by three quarters of a percent from 2 percent to 1.25 percent. The revisions do not affect needed County services or jeopardize the strong bond rating or positive fiscal reviews the County has earned in recent years.
“Along with complying with the State tax cap, the 2013 budget safeguards the services our seniors, veterans and youths rely on, and continue to make Rensselaer County an attractive place for new business and job creation,” said Vice Chairman of Finance Phil Danaher.
“We are proud to be under the State tax cap and able to protect the services our residents rely on. Equally important, this budget will help us protect our solid financial foundation,” said Vice Chairman of the Legislature Stan Brownell.
The budget was approved by a 13-4 margin with two legislators absent. All four members of the Democratic minority voted in opposition.
“This budget is the latest to be formulated without needed mandate relief or reform and during a long and difficult recession. While we are able to remain under the tax cap, the County would be able to reduce taxes if there was significant mandate relief,” said Majority Leader Ken Herrington.
The revisions that reduce the tax levy involve use of $129,000 from the Tax Stability Fund established by the County Legislature in recent years. The Tax Stability Fund includes funds from recent reductions in spending in Legislative offices. Along with contributing funds from the Tax Stability Fund, the Legislature also reduced the amount of Legislative spending for 2013.
Along with use of the Tax Stability Fund, the estimate on sales tax earnings has been increased by a modest amount of $240,333, and there are revisions in estimated spending at the jail and other areas. The boarding-in of inmates at the County jail is expected to generate approximately $5 million in 2013, reversing years when the County paid neighboring counties to board inmates.
The strong fiscal position earned and maintained by the County has helped position the County for economic development and job creation projects. In recent weeks, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals announced it would be expanding its East Greenbush facility and creating 300 new jobs.[/private]