Budget is Well Received By Legislature
by Doug La Rocque
The Rensselaer County Legislature has scheduled two public hearings on County Executive Steve McLaughlin proposed 2021 budget, which reduces spending by $1.1 million and holds the line on property taxes. Residents are invited to review the budget at www.rensselaercounty.org. The Legislature will hold public hearings on the budget on November 12 and 19 at 5:30 pm.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the public is not permitted to attend the public hearing. However, written comments will be accepted from now until the final hearing date, and can be submitted to renscoleg@rensco.com. The public is invited to watch the public hearing on Facebook Live on our Facebook page, “Rensselaer County Legislature.” The public hearing will also be recorded and available for future viewing on the Legislative website mentioned above.
“I commend County Executive McLaughlin and his staff on putting together another solid budget with no tax increase. We will review it thoroughly, ask questions and offer worthwhile suggestions,” said Chairman Michael Stammel.
Minority Leader Peter Grimm tells The Eastwick Press, he too feels it is a good budget, the result of bipartisan work within the legislature and the laudable efforts on the part of the county’s department heads. He added “when we can hold the line on taxes and maintain services, especially during this time of COVID-19 and its financial constraints, we are on the right track.” He added his caucus will support the budget as well.