Despite Pandemic, Eight Straight Zeros

Picente’s 2021 Budget Proposal Once Again Carries No Increase to Property Tax Levy

UTICA — Despite the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. presented a 2021 proposed county budget and capital plan to the Board of Legislators today that carried with it no increase in the property tax levy for the eighth year in a row.

The $434.1 million proposal includes a balanced budget that decreases discretionary spending by 7%; includes no employee layoffs and adds no new positions; budgets $105.4 million in sales tax revenue and $16 million in Oneida Nation revenue and retires $9.1 million in debt. Its capital plan calls for only a minimal amount of county bonding to pay for roads and bridges and necessary technology upgrades.

“This pandemic highlights why county government is different from every other level of government in this state,” Picente said. “We have more responsibilities and more costs, and when faced with crisis, county government is open every single day to deal with the public health and safety of this community. This budget reflects our strategic and strong investment to move this community forward, and when this ends, our future is still bright.”

The Board of Legislators will vote on the County Executive’s 2021 budget proposal at its meeting on Dec. 2, 2020.

To view the livestream of the County Executive’s budget address at today’s Board of Legislators’ meeting go to: https://fb.watch/1JlIAH4g3i/ (starts at the 15:30 mark).

To view the County Executive’s full 2021 proposed budget go to: https://ocgov.net/sites/default/files/exec/budget/2021/2021%20Proposed%20Budget.pdf