The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
2021 tentative budget comes with 4.99% tax levy increase
County officials defy Gov. Cuomo’s executive order on gatherings
Madison County officials have weighed in onthe 2021 budget, county affairs, AND COVID- 19 during the holidays.
Madison County Chairman John Becker shared during a brief Facebook video on Nov. 13 that a public hearing occurred on the 2021 tentative county budget, and it was subsequently passed. The budget includes a $ 1.9 million or 4.99% increase to the tax levy.
The bump in taxes is to help build up the county’s fund balance, Becker said. “Because we don’t know what’s going to happen next year.”
He explained that theway budgeting is scheduled — the state’s budget adopted sometime in April, the county’s adopted at the end of the year — means county officials know with little certainty what size slice of the state budget will be in their favor.
The outlook doesn’t look promising. “The governor [ and his staff] have stated [ that] 20% will be the floor of the cuts coming out of Albany and up to possibly 40%,” Becker shared.
Department heads did an excellent job wrangling this budget’s numbers together, handing ina0%
increase budget, Becker said. The Sherriff’s Department, Public Health Department, Social Services Department, and Highway Department all faced cuts, Becker said.
He said the county is doing what they can to prepare for the shortfalls and challenges next year will likely bring.
The Board of Supervisors recognized the retirement of Brenda Lubeck- Collins after 30 years of public service with the Public Health Department. The county appreciates her contributions over the years. Lubeck- Collins plans to come back part- time to assist with COVID- 19 contact- tracing efforts, Becker said.
COVID- 19 has been a hot topic since the pandemic first began, but even more so now that cases are soaring at record highs and the holidays are on the way. Gov. Andrew cuomo has issued a state mandate limiting gatherings to 10 people— including for Thanksgiving.
Becker wasn’t quick to directly enforce this rule for the holiday.
“We at the county understand what your families mean to you. And again, I will say, if you don’t feel comfortable in a situation, don’t put yourself in that situation,” Becker commented. “If you’re comfortablewith your family all coming over, then that’s your business. You do what you need to do.”
The state rule comes after COVID- 19 has been apparently spreading not from controlled public outings, like going to vote or to the grocery store, but intimate gatherings in people’s households, especially after Halloween weekend.
In oneida County, County Executive Anthony Picente has sited baby showers, weddings, and Halloween parties as major spreaders accounting for the huge increase in cases his county is seeing. Other areas across the state have found a similar correlation, and many fear what this next holiday will bring.
Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood shared Becker’s sentiment about the rule on Thanksgiving. “Although we encourage the public to use their common sense/ best discretion, wear masks, wash hands frequently, and not attend if sick or at risk - the madison County Sheriff’s Office will not be enforcing this executive order,” Hood wrote via Facebook.
He said residents have no need to be sneaky for the holiday and try and hide their family get- togethers. “We are not going to exhaust our limited resources obtaining search warrants and counting the turkey eaters in your house,” he remarked.
Picente emphasized that the limited number of 10 to a gathering is supposed to be coupled with mask wearing and social distancing. Gathering indoors, in close quarters, is a reliable way for the virus to spread, officials say.
As of Nov. 17, Madison County has 75 active COVID- 19 cases and a positivity rate of 2.3% for the month of November, according to officials. Besides the outbreak that occurred at Green Empire Farms in May, this is the highest number of active cases for the county to date.
As of Nov. 18., Oneida County has 852 active cases, a new record.
The Madison County Health Department is urging residents to refer to the “3 Ws” — Wear a Facemask, Watch your Social Distancing, and wash your hands to protect yourself and others from COVID- 19.