The Buffalo Record

The Erie County Legislature – dominated as it is by those bad ol’ Democrats – has passed a budget that seems to be better than that proposed by County Executive Collins.

They got rid of his proposed tax increase by cutting elsewhere, including fringe benefits for county employees and raises that Collins had proposed for department heads. At first blush, it appears to be a more fiscally responsible, businesslike budget. Not only because it gets rid of absolutely needless spending and an equally needless tax hike, but because it also restores funding for critical projects such as the Cornell Cooperative Extension. Collins’ budget had cut all funding for that project, which would have effectively killed it locally – county funding is a prerequisite to its maintenance.

From the Buffalo News:

To strip out the tax rate increase, which would have added $18 to the tax bill on a $100,000 home, legislators had to cut more than $8 million in spending.

They targeted money set aside for employee fringe benefits, arguing that Collins had budgeted more than needed.

They took away raises for select department heads.

They removed new jobs.

And they assumed the government would save $2.8 million next year by holding vacant posts open longer, rather than the $1.7 million that Collins assumed.

“We heard the community clearly,” said Legislature Chairwoman Lynn M. Marinelli, D-Town of Tonawanda. “They don’t want the taxes to be raised.”

Legislators also propose cutting $2 million from the $5 million to be set aside for court judgments anticipated against the county next year — the “risk retention” fund.

Legislators expect to return $280,250 to the Cornell Cooperative Extension, which was to receive no money in the Collins budget. Legislators also want to return $161,500 to the Soil and Water Conservation District, which Collins had zeroed out.

They gave the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society another $34,500, which would bring its aid to $384,504 next year. The Hamburg Natural History Museum would again receive about $40,000. Several youth programs and cultural groups would receive bumps in county support.

While the annual battle royale over how to spend 10% of its own budget is starting to get old, I like that the Leg is challenging Collins on these issues, and on his priorities. So far, he seems to be for cutting everything except benefits and raises for his top deputies. That’s not change we can believe in.

Tags: budget, County Government, erie county, Erie County Executive Chris Collins, Erie County Legislature, News, WNY