Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino’s 2017 Budget Stays Under Tax Cap, With A Proposed Hike Of 1.61%
By Doug La Rocque
County Executive has spoken many times since she took office about state mandates that are burdening County government. [private]In her budget message Friday, October 14, Jimino said, “As the State has increased their mandated spending by nearly 73% between 2006 and 2017, local Rensselaer County government spending has, in contrast, decreased by more than 8% over the same time period, while still maintaining a high level of service.” Jimino said 89 cents of every tax dollar the County collects goes to cover these mandated programs, leaving just 11 cents for local services
Increases in mandated spending mentioned by Jimino include Indigent Defense, District Attorney salaries and Employment and Training services, in which the State is keeping some of the money passed on by the Federal Government that was earmarked for counties. She pointed out the County has saved dollars by the continued consolidation of many services. Her budget proposal would increase the average property tax bill by $5.12 for every $100,000 of full value.
Speaking with The Eastwick Press on Saturday, Jimino claimed one of the highlights of her proposed budget for the eastern portion of the county, is maintaining the present level of Senior Service funding, meaning the Senior Centers in Grafton and Hoosick Falls will continue to operate as they have over the past year. She also points to plans to continue with increased paving projects in the rural areas, paid for by money from the Rivers Casino licensing fees and the Pave New York Funding. Funding for the County Health Department as it helps Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh deal with PFOA contamination will also be maintained. Her comments about the benefits for eastern communities were echoed by County Legislative Chairman Stan Brownell of Hoosick Falls, who told The Eastwick Press “We can be proud that Rensselaer County is poised to stay under the tax cap for a sixth consecutive year. This is good news for our taxpayers.” Brownell also pointed out the County is purchasing more patrol vehicles for the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department, to help maintain the current level of law enforcement and protection in the rural areas.
Jimino also said “The talk at the State of self-imposed controls on their own spending omits the fact that any projected spending in excess of their two percent cap can be pushed off to the counties, thus growing the demand for local tax dollars. New York has the resources to be the Empire State again. We need effective solutions based on policy rather than politics.”
The County Legislature will consider the proposed budget now, aiming for adoption of a final budget in early December. The schedule of dates for legislative reviews, including public hearings, will be announced shortly.[/private]