The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
County unveils $122M budget
Taxpayers would see a 2.5% tax increase if budget passes
Madison County taxpayers are looking at a 2.5 percent tax increase should county supervisors pass their proposed $122 million budget for 2019.
The 2019 tentative budget calls for an increase to the tax levy of $945,000 or 2.5 percent. If adopted, the composite tax rate on properties would increase by 5 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, or $5 for a $100,000 home.
The tax levy limit imposed by New York state allows for an increase to the tax levy by about $997,000 and while this gives Madison County some room to maneuver, Madison County Trea-
some room to maneuver, Madison County Treasurer Cindy Edick said it’s important Madison County stay under the tax levy set by NewYork state this year.
“It is especially important for the county to adopt a budget that complies with the tax levy limit this year,” Edick said. “Otherwise, we would be ineligible to receive state aid reimbursement for Raise the Age expenditures. Those are estimated to be $1.7 million in the 2019 tentative budget.”
New York’s Raise the Age, passed last year, calls for most 16-year-olds who commit non-violent crimes to be tried in Family Court instead of automatically in adult criminal court. More serious charges go to a “Youth Part” of criminal court. Sixteen-year- olds who are arrested for nonviolent offenses will have the same opportunities for diversion and communitybased services as youths 15 and under.
Meanwhile, 16- yearolds charged with serious offenses will be processed as adolescent offenders in a Youth Part of criminal court and placed in specialized secure detention facilities for adolescents instead of adult jails. The law will extend to 17-yearolds on October 1, 2019.
“The county’s estimated expenditures for Raise the Age could increase drastically compared to 2018 due to the phasing in of this law,” Edick said. “Implementation of the law requires additional resources in departments such as probation, social services and the sheriff’s office.”
Edick anticipates New York state will reimburse counties 100 percent for these expenses, as long as the county’s plan is approved by the state and complies with the state tax cap.
Madison County has already authorized a local law to override the 2019 tax levy and will need to rescind this law for the county to be considered tax cap compliant and qualify for state aid, Edick explained.
The bulk of the 2019 budget is aimed at investing in Madison County’s residents, communities and infrastructure, Edick said.
“With the exception of highway and the Sheriff’s Road Patrol, almost all of the services the county provides are state mandated,” said Edick. “The 2019 spending plan reflects our commitment to investing in Madison County’s residents, communities and infrastructure. It provides for all state mandates, it delivers highway and Sheriff’s Road Patrol services, and it maintains funding for not-for-profit agencies at 2018 levels. This fiscally sound budget plan conservatively estimates reve- nues, while maintaining a healthy fund balance.”
Edick asked the Board of Supervisors that if there is any changes that increase the levy towards the tax cap, to give her some room to maneuver.
“So much state aid is on the line,” Edick said. “I would hate to have us go right up to that dollar, then have a rounding error that causes us to not be eligible.”
Lebanon Supervisor James Goldstein clarified with Edick that Madison County has around $40,000 to $50,000 leeway and asked if all of the county’s non-profits are being kept at the same level of aid as the 2018 budget.
“Right now, all of the not-for-profit agencies that are in the 2019 budget are the same as 2018,” Edick said. “The only exception is a one time contribution to Clear Path for Veterans last year.”
The 2019 budget also includes new additions such as funding for school resource officers across the county. Madison County is offering to cover up to $18,000 per resource officer; the remainder of the cost would be up to the school district. Each SRO would be a retired officer and would report to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
“We live in a time where we must consider the safety of our youth,” said Madison County Chairman and Sullivan Supervisor John Becker. “Be- ing able to provide safety to our school districts is a no-brainer.”
The Madison County Cornell Cooperative Extension is seeing an increase in their budget from $319,658 to $384,658. Representatives from the Madison County Cornell Cooperative Extension and Madison County 4-H Club spoke at Thursday’s annual session, thanking supervisors for their continued support and to keep investing in their cause.
“We are asking you to consider making an increase to ensure the programs we piloted this year can continue,” Executive Director Karin Bump said. “Theywon’t be able to without additional funding, such as our ‘Ag in the Classroom’ program. Once a month, up to seven times a year, we interface with around 800 school children a month. It’s important for third and fourth graders and helps themunderstand the importance of agriculture.”
Bump said the MCCCE has also beenworkingwith Sheriff Todd Hood and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office ensure law enforcement have training to better respond to animal cruelty calls.
“I’ve been a 4-H leader and volunteer in this county for over 30 years,” Ann Janson said. “And I’ve seen multiple changes in the 4-H department and cooperative extension. The highs and the lows. The staff we have now is going places. But they need help from you guys.”
Janson said with help of the MCCCE and their educators, 4-H and the CCE brought the 4-H program to Brookfield Central School. Janson said several students hadn’t even heard of 4-H until they made their move, earning a thumbs up from Brookfield Supervisor John Salka.
As a student of 4-H and the CCE, Brian Young of Cazenovia has spent nine years learning to love agriculture.
“Because of CCE and 4-H, I’ve gone through a lot of programs, got to see a lot of great things,” Young said. “I’ve went to Capital Days. I’ve done career explorations at Cornell University. I’ve seen so many events, done so many things and met so many people I wouldn’t otherwise. Thanks to 4-H and CCE, these programs have been made possible.”
The tentative budget is available on the Madison County Website at www. madisoncounty.ny.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=332.
Residents are encouraged to give their feedback on the tentative budget. Public Hearing days about the budget are scheduled for:
• Nov. 15, at 10:10 a.m. in the Supervisor’s Chambers, 138 N. Court St., Wampsville
• Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Supervisor’s Chambers, 138 N. Court St., Wampsville