Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon has announced the 2027 executive budget, which focuses on growing jobs, expanding infrastructure and lowering taxes.
“We gather at a moment unlike any other in our county’s history. Over the past year, Onondaga County has not only prepared for a once-in-a-generation economic transformation – we have begun to deliver it,” McMahon said.
Property values have risen, he said. At the same time, electricity and utility costs have increased. However, disciplined planning and forward-looking investments have shown their benefits, McMahon said, which has allowed him to reduce property taxes.
“I am proposing a 9% cut in the tax rate from $2.93 to $2.67 per thousand,” McMahon said. “Saving homeowners an average of $78 on a $300,000 house.”
Since 2018, McMahon said they have reduced property tax rates by 47%. The 2027 budget proposed is about $1.7 billion while the general fund has about $1.1 billion.
“For the ninth year in a row, this budget uses zero dollars of general fund balance,” McMahon said.
As part of the 2027 budget, McMahon said they will be investing more in Children and Family Services, specifically for the caseworkers who work directly with the school districts.
“Between federal, state and local funding, we have supported over 2,300 families and 5,000 children in 2026. When looking at funding levels in 2027, we believe we can offer childcare support to an additional 1,000 families and 2,000 children,” he said during his address.
The budget also includes continued investments in school districts that are in the three-tiered mental health support for students, which helps to provide onsite mental health clinics for families and students.
New investments
McMahon proposed several new investments, including a $250,000 pilot program for local farmers to partner with food pantries, and a $1.5 million Airport Revitalization Fund.
“Our airport is growing, but [it] also has a robust capital plan to meet the moment and demand we see today,” he said.
The funding will serve as a down payment for addressing ongoing needs at the airport.
“The budget before you lays the foundation for a successful 2027 that continues to position our county for growth while fulfilling our core services to the public,” McMahon said. “Before you, in this budget, are two new housing initiatives.”
The first is a partnership with Home Headquarters, which would assist Gen Z homebuyers with down payments and closing costs.
“The program is intended to help younger residents overcome one of the largest barriers to homeownership, the initial down payment, and to encourage the next generation to establish long-term roots in Onondaga County,” he said.
The $2 million investment could potentially help 200 residents become first-time homeowners, McMahon said. The second program comes from a recommendation from the Legislature’s housing committee which is to create a Limited Development Corporation for housing.
“The LDC could be a vehicle to lend low-interest financing to middle-market housing projects, creating an additional 1,000 housing units,” McMahon said.