Schuyler adopts 2016 budget

SCHUYLER COUNTY--The Schuyler County Legislature unanimously approved their 2016 budget during their regular meeting Monday, Nov. 9. Prior to the regular meeting, Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn gave a detailed analysis of the budget during a public hearing, highlighting the fact it is the fourth consecutive year the county has seen a decrease in the tax rate and where all programs are maintained. More than 40 people attended the public hearing, but none of them commented on the spending plan following the administrator's presentation.
The tax rate will be decreasing by 1.08 percent in 2016, putting it at $8.15 per $1,000 of assessed value. This is down from 2015's $8.22 per $1,000. Meanwhile, the total tax levy is at $11,019,613, which is an increase of 0.34 percent from 2015. The levy is below the allowable tax cap by $275,692. The total budget in 2016 is $45,401,029, up 3.14 percent from 2015's $44,020,925.
Some of the areas O'Hearn highlighted included the mandated portion of the budget being smaller than it was before. Two years ago, O'Hearn said state mandates took up nearly 80 percent of the county budget. However, in 2016 they only take up about 63 percent of the budget.
He noted human services take up the largest portion of the county budget at 44 percent. O'Hearn also said the top three producers on the revenue side were human services at 28 percent, the tax levy at 24 percent and sales tax at 23 percent. O'Hearn added the county saw an increase in sales tax this year, attributing much of it to large events that garnered national attention like the Phish Magnaball concert and NASCAR race at Watkins Glen International.
The administrator went on to highlight some of the projects in the area, saying there is tremendous potential for development in the county. O'Hearn noted the progress being made with Project Seneca, the conversion of the former middle school building into senior housing and the Grist Iron Brewing Company as just a few of the examples of positive development in the community.