By a majority vote on Wednesday, the Allegany County Legislature
adopted the proposed 2025 budget. It calls for sending about $154 million. In
order to stay below the state-mandated property tax cap, lawmakers opted to use
millions from the reserve ‘rainy day’ account. Overall, countywide taxes will
decline, but not everywhere. Wellsville could experience a slight increase. Sales
tax revenues took a bit of a hit in 2024, but the legislature anticipates an
increase in 2025. Adam Cyr (R-Bolivar) votes against the spending plan. He is a
candidate for county treasurer as witnessed by his many yard signs and
billboards across the county. James Rumfelt (R-Andover), who is currently
working in South Carolina, said he was “not pleased” with the budget.
However, Steve Havey (R-Wellsville) and Chair of the Public Safety Committee called the proposed spending plan a “good budget.” Havey noted that the budget continues a 15-year downward trend in the county tax rate. The lawmaker was especially happy with the $400,000 plan for new EMS & paramedic training. Havey said the training slots were filling up.
