BATH – The proposed 2019 Steuben County budget of $191 million calls for a slight decrease in the county tax levy and tax rate, despite increased spending for some departments. The budget was presented to the county Legislature Thursday, followed by a budget workshop. County Manager/Budget Officer Jack Wheeler told the county board Thursday the lower tax levy – the amount paid by Steuben taxpayers – reflects good management by department heads and the legislators themselves. If approved by the county legislature Nov. 26, the proposed 2019 budget’s tax levy of $49,989,115 will be down $8,797 compared to the 2018 levy of $49,997,912. The tentative 2019 average tax rate of $8.25 per $1,000 assessed value is $0.19 less compared to the 2018 average tax rate of $8.44. "This is the third consecutive year we have a budget with no increase in the levy, which is extremely rare in local government," Wheeler said. The decline comes despite significant increases in some departments, notably the county Sheriff’s department and state-mandated expenses in the court-related functions. Actual property taxes will depend on the equalization rate of the town in which property owners reside. The addition of four county deputies to combat the abuse of opioids and other illegal substances and state-mandated staffing at the jail will drive public safety costs up by approximately seven percent. Resources for addicted individuals also will create additional costs in community health programs. Other expected increases in 2019 will be due state-imposed programs, notably the Raise The Age (RTA) law and an older court settlement by the state to improve access to public defense. Wheeler told legislators it will be important for Steuben to closely monitor the state’s promised total reimbursement of the cost of RTA -- which raises the age of criminal responsibility to 18 -- and improved public defense. "Should the state renege on their funding commitments, the county would be forced to absorb nearly $2 million more," Wheeler said. The state also will pay enhanced indigent funding for the county Public Defender, Conflict Defender and Assigned Counsel with Steuben picking up additional costs for agencies related to prosecution. Wheeler also noted the proposed budget of $191 million is largely driven by state costs, with $0.90 of every $1 in taxes paying for just nine state-mandated programs. New York still leads the nation drawing dollars from local taxpayers, with 17 percent of state revenues taken from its municipalities, Wheeler said. On average, states appropriate 2 percent of local taxes. "So when I hear Gov. Cuomo blame the counties for the property tax burden, I find that very disheartening," Wheeler said.
