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Turnout was light and comments generally favorable, as the Legislature tonight invited public content on the proposed 2009 County budget.  But speakers also suggested that more needs to be done in the future to address County finances in tough economic times.

Four people spoke at the 22 minute session, among them, president Jean McPheeters and government affairs committee chair John Neuman of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce.  Both praised the Legislature’s efforts to keep spending in line, but Neuman reminded Legislators that “times have changed” since the budget process began, and urged that contingency planning begin immediately to prepare for future impacts.  McPheeters recommended the County begin to an organized effort to evaluate programs the County funds.

Former Dryden Legislator Michael Lane congratulated Legislators on the budget, but warned that “next year is going to be worse.”  The County’s voice, he said, must be “loud and clear” opposing State cost shifts.  He urged that the Legislature next year eliminate departmental rollover of unexpended funds and again recommended that sales tax on clothing be eliminated.

The 2009 tentative budget, as amended by the Legislature last month, contains just over $74 million in locally controlled spending.  It would increase the tax levy (the total amount of property tax revenue needed to balance the budget) by 2.99 percent and meets the Legislature’s 2009 budget goal of a levy increase of no more than 3 percent.  Reflecting the effect of the 2008 assessment revaluation, the countywide average tax rate would decrease by 13.5 percent to $5.93 per thousand dollars assessed property value.  The proposed budget sets the County’s surplus fund balance at about $150,000 less than the million-dollar level recommended by retired administrator Steve Whicher.

The Legislature can further amend the budget before final passage.  The adoption vote is scheduled for the Legislature’s next meeting on Tuesday, November 18, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at Legislative Chambers in the County Courthouse, 320 N. Tioga Street in Ithaca.

Citizens are encouraged to submit their budget comments online at the County’s web site at www.tompkins-co.org (click on “County Budget.”)  and may call the Legislature Office at 274-5434 to obtain contact information for their county Legislator.  There also will be an opportunity comment on the budget at the beginning of the Legislature’s November 18 meeting.


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